The New Book Review

This blog, #TheNewBookReview, is "new" because it eschews #bookbigotry. It lets readers, reviewers, authors, and publishers expand the exposure of their favorite reviews, FREE. Info for submissions is in the "Send Me Your Fav Book Review" circle icon in the right column below. Find resources to help your career using the mini search engine below. #TheNewBookReview is a multi-award-winning blog including a MastersInEnglish.org recommendation.

Monday, June 17, 2019

A Little History of Bond Novels and a Wesley Britton Review of a New One

Title: Forever and a Day
Subtitle: A James Bond Novel
Author: Anthony Horowitz
Publisher: Jonathan Cape/Waterstone's, London, England; First Edition (2018)
ISBN-10: 1911214772
ISBN-13: 978-1911214779
Purchase on Amazon


Reviewed by: Dr. Wesley Britton originally for  BookPleasures.com

Beginning with John Pearson's 1973    James Bond: The Authorized Biography of 007, Ian Fleming Publications has licensed  a number of pre-Casino Royale Bond stories as part of their ongoing series of James Bond continuation novels.     In addition, a number of unsanctioned books, often fictionalized versions of Ian Fleming's World War II experiences, have been published as  alleged foreshadowings of the literary material Fleming would use in his James Bond yarns.
The longest-lasting sanctioned pre-MI5 Bond stories began with Charlie Higson's 2005 "Young James Bond" books which author Steve Cole took over in 2014.
  
In terms of the adult Bond, after long runs of Bond continuation novels by John Gardner and Raymond Benson, in which the character of Bond was "frozen in time" and emulated the cinematic aspects of the films, Ian Fleming Publications opted for a course change in 2014 beginning with Sebastian Faulks's Devil May care in a new series featuring books by various authors sticking as closely as possible to the spirit and flavor of the Fleming books, using settings and events occurring in the 1960s.

Then came Anthony Horowitz's well-received 2015 Trigger Mortis which took Bond back to the '50s, and included unused material by Ian Fleming himself. Horwitz, Bond, and a bit more unused Fleming material  returned in 2018 with Forever and a Day,  the latest offering set before the events in Casino Royale.

007 literary aficionados have been divided in their responses to Forever and a Day, with many a reader praising the book for its keeping close to the style and flavor of Fleming, its comparatively subtle introduction of many Bond tropes of the original novels,      its revealing how James Bond got the 007 number,  and the characters introduced by Horwitz, notably the love interest between Bond and "Madame Sixteen."

Add me to the list of critics who really, really liked Forever and a Day. I don't see much to complain about, especially as so many continuation novels were entertaining, readable, and completely forgettable.    For me, Madame Sixteen is now one of my all-time favorite Bond girls, although calling her a "girl" isn't close to accurate. She's well-developed--in the literary sense--mature, resourceful, as good as an action companion as 007 could ever ask for.

True, that scene where supposed acid turns out to be merely water and some of the incursion scenes are a tad contrived,  and nothing could be more contrived than Irwin Wolfe's rationalization for his motivations. But when was Ian Fleming ever flawless?  

  I'd wager most Bond literary fans have already read, evaluated, and passed judgement on Forever and a Day.  It's the rest of you this review is for. If you're not a habitual reader of either Fleming or the continuation novels,   is Forever and a Day a good read for you? Is it a good starting point, now being the first authorized 007 adventure in the chronological sequence of the canonical Bond?

Naturally, every reader should start with Fleming himself,  and I recommend Dr. No, From Russia With Love, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, or Casino Royale. (Not coincidently,  these became the best films.) In terms of continuation novels,  yes, Forever and a Day is now an ideal starting point. It's the most memorable yarn in many a moon. More Horowitz, please.

MORE ABOUT THE REVIEWER

Dr. Wesley Britton is the author of The Beta Earth Chronicles and reviews for BookPleasures.com and this blog among others.  Learn more about him at:
Reviewer, BookPleasures.com





MORE ABOUT THE BLOGGER AND
SOME WAYS TO GET THE MOST FROM THIS BLOG

 The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. Of particular interest to readers of this blog is her most recent How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically (http://bit.ly/GreatBkReviews ) that covers 325 jam-packed pages covering everithing from Amazon vine to writing reviews for profit and promotion. Reviewers will have a special interest in the chapter on how to make reviewing pay, either as way to market their own books or as a career path--ethically!

This blog is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.



Note: Participating authors and their publishers may request the social sharing image by Carolyn Wilhelm at no charge.  Please contact the designer at:  cwilhelm (at) thewiseowlfactory (dot) com. Provide the name of the book being reviewed and--if an image or headshot of the author --isn't already part of the badge, include it as an attachment. Wilhelm will send you the badge to use in your own Internet marketing. Give Wilhelm the link to this post, too!

Friday, June 14, 2019

A Dr. Bob Rich Review of "I Am Malala"

Title: I am Malala
Author: Malala Yousafzai
Publisher:   Weidenfeld & Nicolson
ISBN:       9780316327916


Reviewed by Dr. Bob Rich

Everybody knows about Malala. 
Everybody should read her book.
Doing so will make you into a better person.
Naturally, some of it is horrific reading, including natural disasters, the atrocities of the Taliban, and of course the later part reporting on her shooting and recovery. But even these sections are fascinating, informative and inspiring.
And so much of it is joyful. If a flower could write about her life, this is how she would write.
Seeing Pushtun culture from within was interesting and educational. And no one reading this book could continue with the delusions of those who see all Muslims as evil terrorists, the Other to fear and hate.
Malala comes across as a real person, with her faults as well as good points. She is not some saint, up there, but one of us. That means, each of us can be like her.
Even before reading the book, my often expressed opinion was that her father must be exceptional to have raised a daughter like her. My reading confirmed and even reinforced this. From an early age, he has defied the conventions of his culture, and followed his own light of decency, intelligence and courage.
I do have one slight disagreement with this young lady. For her, education is the key to everything, for me it is one essential component of several. But that’s fine. I hope her influence only continues to grow.
MORE ABOUT THE REVIEWER
Dr. Bob Rich is a professional grandfather, with hundreds of grankids all over Earth. Anyone under 25 qualifies: they only need to apply. Everything he does, including his 18 published books, is designed to work for a survivable future for young people, and a future worth surviving in. This means changing a global culture that emphasizes and rewards the worst in human nature, particularly greed and aggression, into a global culture that empahsizes and rewards the best in human nature: compassion, empathy, cooperation, sharing, decency. He has lots of good resources at his blog, Bobbing Around https://bobrich18.wordpress.com including descriptions of his books, which get uniformly high ratings and complimentary reviews.

Learn more about him:


Dr. Bob's newsletter: Bobbing Around https://bobrich18.wordpress.com
Twitter: @bobswriting
Bob's Mottoes: Commit random acts of kindness
Live simply so you may simply live


I-Am-Malala-The-Girl-Who-Stood-Up-for-Education-and-Was-Shot-by-the-Taliban.jpg


I-Am-Malala-The-Girl-Who-Stood-Up-for-Education-and-Was-Shot-by-the-Taliban.jpg


MORE ABOUT BLOGGER AND WAYS TO GET THE MOST FROM THIS BLOG


 The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. Of particular interest to readers of this blog is her most recent How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically (http://bit.ly/GreatBkReviews ) that covers 325 jam-packed pages covering everithing from Amazon vine to writing reviews for profit and promotion. Reviewers will have a special interest in the chapter on how to make reviewing pay, either as way to market their own books or as a career path--ethically!

This blog is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.



Note: Participating authors and their publishers may request the social sharing image by Carolyn Wilhelm at no charge.  Please contact the designer at:  cwilhelm (at) thewiseowlfactory (dot) com. Provide the name of the book being reviewed and--if an image or headshot of the author --isn't already part of the badge, include it as an attachment. Wilhelm will send you the badge to use in your own Internet marketing. Give Wilhelm the link to this post, too!

Monday, June 10, 2019

Dining Out On Planet Mercury (Dining Out Around The Solar System Book 4)

MORE ABOUT THIS BLOG The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. Authors, readers, publishers, and reviewers may republish their favorite reviews of books they want to share with others. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read and love. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page and in a tab at the top of this blog's home page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites so it may be used a resource for most anyone in the publishing industry. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.


Clare O'Beara
Kindle Edition
Book 4 in the Dining Out Around the Solar System Series
·  ASIN: B074Y53JMX

Please see the reviews for book 1, book 2, and book 3 as this is the fourth and final book in the Dining Out Around the Solar System books.

Donal becomes an interpreter for the police in book four as knows the language of people from planet Mercury. A Mercurian girl, Surrune, is suspected of murder, and Donal is there to help, wearing trousers with solar panels to be able to charge his electronic gadgets. Myon, the Jafraican journalist, also helps as he and Donal are a team for London’s Eye. Donal works on his writing for publication in this book. The food scenes in restaurants are wonderfully described as Donal still writes restaurant reviews. The pair ride the tube and walk to their destinations.

At Surrune’s, they find off-world workers are being exploited as there are too many people crammed into the rented spaces inside mansions. The landlord does not have proper permits. The building could not have passed health or safety inspections for many reasons. Doors are blocked, some tenants have no escape routes, and poor air quality are just some of the code violations. Similar mansions are standing empty or unoccupied -- inviting other troubles.

There is a British Parliamentary election, and the police need to keep public fears to a minimum. One of the election issues is the rising sea, and another is the health issues of the space miners. Donal’s mother had radiation sickness from working for BSM (British Space Mines) and died. His concerns are understandable. The off-worlders may not vote, so they can’t help themselves through politics.

An interesting micro-business set-up is that people are using the former red telephone boxes for small businesses such as mending, sewing, dog-walking services, or other small shops. There is even a directory of red box businesses in London. 

Climate change is affecting life in London with cut flowers being less popular due to their carbon footprint. With the sea level rise, the water table is saltier. Care must be taken with trees and plantings. Only cremation is permitted as London has no more space for burials. We learn about how climate change has affected other areas of the world, as well, such as Australia.

A case of jealousy almost causes Donal a terrible problem, but he insists it is a misunderstanding. His attitude again reveals he is a nice person.

The overcrowding issue is resolved in a most off-world manner, both on and off Earth. Oh, best of all, Donal and Myron have girlfriends by the end of the book, which is a satisfying ending after reading all four books.

Winter is approaching, and it is time to think about getting shuttle-flu jabs before Christmas!

Clare O’Beara reads extensively and reviews books for Fresh Fiction.com.
Check out her books and sign up to her quarterly newsletter on:

Dining Out On Planet Mercury (Dining Out Around The Solar System Book 4)

Dining Out On Planet Mercury (Dining Out Around The Solar System Book 4)

Thank you for reading, 
Carolyn Wilhelm
#A Book Review Blog, #BookReviewResource #GreatBkReviews #HowtoGetGreatBookReviews #HowToDoItFrugally #CarolynHowardJohnson #TheNewBookReviewSci

Sunday, June 9, 2019

Third in the Dining Out Around the Solar System Series by Clare O'Beara

MORE ABOUT THIS BLOG The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. Authors, readers, publishers, and reviewers may republish their favorite reviews of books they want to share with others. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read and love. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page and in a tab at the top of this blog's home page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites so it may be used a resource for most anyone in the publishing industry. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.


Clare O'Beara
Kindle Edition



  • Print Length: 327 pages

    • ASIN: B0150KLQIE

    See also reviews for book 1, book 2, and book 4.

    By now we are familiar with Donal and Myron and to what great lengths they will go for a story as journalists. and help others in futuristic London. Working on an article about imports from the planet Mercury will have them doing just that. They also find out that not all of the off-world immigrants have the best intentions, causing them to take chances to get the story, yet again. Student protesters cause a riot at the dome, which will be another big story for the two friends. They are by now considered the foremost journalism off-world watchers.

    Donal has it on good authority that mint green is the color of the season. Which is not the reason large buildings in major cities around the world are lighted in green for the 17th of March. Since he is press from London’s Eye, he tries to get in the large dome no one is allowed to enter. Do you guess he will find a way in and also uncover a story?

    Again, this book has scientific information, and in this one I learned quite a bit about the bubonic plague. There is also fiction, of course, and ground squirrels in American squirrels now have bubonic plague. I looked it up online and they actually do now in a few parts of the USA, resulting in a very few human deaths per year. It took a science fiction book to help me realize that fact. Rats are part of a problem in this book, but our heroes will try to solve the situation. After all, they helped origami be considered as an Olympic sport. A sports reporter was sent to cover a tournament. Yes, an Origami tournament, or “alternative” sports.

    We learn more about climate change and the runaway greenhouse effect making lakes and seas very acidic. The Londoners are practical and wear solar panels in their coats or shirts to charge their tablets, phone, books, and other electronic devices. People move up the mountains to avoid the wind as it results in additional problems. Climate change contributes to problems in society. Students protest because of student loans, not being able to find employment, and being financially strapped – which sounds like many college graduates today. The problems in the book mirror our problems today in many ways, including racism, women’s rights, tax evasion, migrant worker issues, and others we hear about on a daily basis. It is a dystopian story.

    The heroes are modest, as this quote reveals:

    “London’s Eye would win an award for breaking and covering the Skybridge story the following spring; we let Kipp and Angie go to collect it at the prestigious Press Awards dinner. We reckoned they deserved it."

    Donal and Myron could have accepted the award but chose to let others have the glory.

    Americans, be sure to read the Glossary of London terms such as "whistle and flute" means a suit. Fun!

    Third in the Dining Out Around the Solar System Series by Clare O'Beara


    Clare reads extensively and reviews books for Fresh Fiction.com.
    Check out her books and sign up to her quarterly newsletter on:

    Thank you for reading, 
    Carolyn Wilhelm

    Saturday, June 8, 2019

    A Shout Out to Book Lovers: Free books in Exchange for a Little Help From Our Friends


    LOVE TO READ?

    A SHOUT OUT FROM LOIS W. STERN

    Your NewBookReview trusted review coordinator 


    You can get any of the books we list here for FREE, and hope in exchange for this gift, you will write a review and post it on any of the online book selling sites. 


    Thursday, June 6, 2019

    Dining Out Around the Solar System Book 2 by Clare O'Beara Review

    MORE ABOUT THIS BLOG The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. Authors, readers, publishers, and reviewers may republish their favorite reviews of books they want to share with others. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read and love. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page and in a tab at the top of this blog's home page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites so it may be used a resource for most anyone in the publishing industry. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.


    Clare O'Beara
    Print Length: 222 pages
    ASIN: B00MW8IQXG

    As we know from book one, the protagonists, Donal and Myron, are modest journalists and avid reader heroes who live in London. Myron reviews adult entertainment and Donal reviews restaurants. They use coded words to protect their information when speaking in public. In book one, they introduced the Ambassador of the Mercurian people to their news editor. They have many friends from other plants and enjoy ethnic restaurants. The book has information about London and its history, which is revealed as the journalists work through a wide variety of issues. There are moments of learning as well as laughter for the reader. As the book is written in British English, there is a glossary of London/Cockney terms at the end of the book for those not familiar with such.

    Please see also the reviews for book 1book 3, and book 4.

    The story begins with New Year’s Eve and a party including Antigrav barges and fireworks. Donal, being hypersensitive, has to look away from the lights from time to time. One of the snacks of this future life is soup cups that are self-heating and recyclable. Scents are rolled over the crowd, as do waves of heat during the celebration. We find out why Donal was adopted in this book, as well.

    I like the focus on climate change which is mentioned during the story, and it is well explained. The author is a tree surgeon in real-life and has expertise in this area. The Thames has barriers which are raised during times of high water. Much of the country is underwater in this future setting. Other scientific information is discussed, as well. I learned a thing or two by reading this text.

    Donal and Myron befriend Neptunian divers and kept in touch, which proves beneficial later in the story. Fashion is another thread so clothing is described, and knowing the fashion editor helps them understand a few things. 

    Donal uses futuristic technology to try to track a girl who has red hair like him. We know the girl is not from Saturn because she has ears. When Donal meets the red-head girl, Tania, things become interesting, and the mystery begins. She earns a living by running a mushroom farm. A friend of Donal's wants to date Tania, Donal helps them meet, and Zeke and Tania begin to date. This becomes fateful for Zeke.

    Book titles are mentioned by the characters, and one book I had not heard of was Penguins Stopped Play. I looked it up, it is a real book as are the others mentioned, and it looks interesting.

    Donal and Myron notice employment violations, are able to meet sources for stories, and help some situations with immigrants. Issues of overcrowding, new immigrants, unfair wages, racism, and poverty are all story threads. Tania’s underground mushroom farm figures into these problems as the mystery is solved by the end of the story. The journalists work carefully with zine news rules and editors to be able to write their award-winning stories.

    Dining Out Around the Solar System Book 2 by Clare O'Beara Review

    Clare reads extensively and reviews books for Fresh Fiction.com. Her energies are focused on volunteering at WorldCon during August, 2019. She is a Facilities staff person and the MacGuyver for the Hugo Awards. 
    Check out her books and sign up to her quarterly newsletter on:

    I will be writing reviews of the other two books in this series this summer. See the post about book one in this series at this link.

    dining-out-around-the-solar-system-book-2-dining-out-with-gas-giants-book-review

    Thank you for reading,
    Carolyn Wilhelm
    Wise Owl Factory

    You might also like the review of book one in this series:

       Dining Out Around the Solar System Book 2 by Clare O'Beara Review


    Wednesday, June 5, 2019

    Green Book Movie and Original 1940 Book Discussion Questions for Book Groups

    This is a second in #TheNewBookReview's new series of discussion questions on books and book-related movies from a great supporter of this blog, Carolyn Wilhelm. (She's the one who makes our fun badges for authors who participate by submitting their fave reviews!). It seems a great service for #teachers, #parents, #bookclubs, and more. Carolyn is a great resource for similar aids on Pinterest where some of her products are absolutely free! As is this one!

    Green Book Movie and 1940 Book Discussion Questions for Book Groups



    ISBN-10: 1949996034

    ISBN-13: 978-1949996036




    The movie, The Green Book, took place in 1962. Have you seen it? It is similar to but so different from Driving Miss Daisy, as a white man chauffeurs a gifted black pianist to concerts in the south. As it was Jim Crow times and they cross the Mason-Dixon line, their many encounters and experiences change the white driver’s thinking about the difficulty of being black (even if well to do) at that time. Sometimes the characters could not stay in the same hotel or eat in the same restaurant. This movie shows a change of heart as it teaches about those times. Did you know the movie is from the real-life experiences of African American classical and jazz pianist Don Shirley and Italian American bouncer Frank "Tony Lip" Vallelonga. I didn’t realize one the screenwriter was one of Tony’s children. The script was based on letters written at the time, and also interviews. Of course, artistic license was taken in a few cases, and there is a little controversy about a few points.

    During the same year the movie represents, my family drove from Minnesota to Arkansas to attend a grandmother’s funeral. Closer to the south, my sisters and I were hungry, and there were few places to eat along the way. We spotted a restaurant, and my father got out of the car. He didn’t park up close to the door, which I still remember as being somewhat odd. He walked over, turned around, got back in the car and drove away. “Why,” we asked, almost in tears. He told us they only served white people and we were not eating there.


    My whole family was white. Maybe we needed a Green Book for our trip. I’m sure my father used the AAA Travel service, but they probably didn’t think to advise him the same what they advised black people at the time. The books sounds nice until it becomes apparent they are very short.


    That was the summer I learned about Jim Crow as it was in the south up close and personal, which left a lasting influence on my life. Of course, Jim Crow was everywhere in different forms. At the time, I did not know The Negro Motorist Green-Book. I’m glad to learn of it later in my life so people could avoid awkward or humiliating experiences. It was written each year with the hope it would become unnecessary. Victor H. Green (1892 – 1960) was a postal carrier living in Harlem when he created the first of his annual Green Books in 1936. The last edition was in 1967, two years after the Voting Rights Act of 1965 became law.


    Did you know you can download copies to read for yourself, as well as purchase a 1940 Facsimile Edition on Amazon? Fifty-three whole pages for traveling the entire nation. Hmmm. I did buy that one on Amazon as well as review several free downloads. Here is what I found.


    The Smithsonian Digital Volunteers Transcription Center has one year of the book published in the National Museum of African American History and Culture as a free download. Links to other placed it may be viewed and downloaded are also listed on the page.


    The University of South Carolina also has a free download for the 1956 Green Book at this link. Both sites have viewers, and I’m aware of other sites that offer viewing or downloads as well.
    The book as a primary source document is in many lessons for secondary schools. It is not a book to sit and read, though, it is a book to ponder and realize what was going on in plain sight that many people didn’t understand.

    The Negro Motorist Green-Book
    Discussion Questions to Consider

    1.  Is every state included in the lists? What are your thoughts on why or why not?   
    2.  What are the fewest services for a state listed? Discuss the ramifications of traveling through such a state.  Is every state included in the lists? What are your thoughts on why or why not?
    3. Is every state included in the lists? What are your thoughts on why or why not?
    4.     What is the most popular category in the book: restaurants, gas stations, recreation parks, taverns, liquor stores, garages (service stations), barber shops, hotels, nightclubs, road houses, country clubs, taxis, drugstores, and beauty shops? Why is that the most popular category?
    5.     What kind of advertising does the Green Book have?
    6.     There is information on how to send a story about using the Green Book for possible publication and five dollars. Describe the story requirements.
    7.     What do you notice about the text travel guide pages? What kinds of things are described that might not be in other travel guides?
    8.     How do you think this would compare to other travel guides?
    9.     What cities have the most services? And even includes things like dance halls, tailors, millinery, and maybe a haberdasher?
    10.      Why is a key to Manhattan street numbers included?  
    11.      Why do you think there are no maps?
    12.      Ferry and Tunnel rates for passenger cards are listed. Why would this information be needed ahead of time?
    13. Points of interest in New York City are listed. What is the possible implication of including this list?
    14. How do the different editions for the different years compare?
    15. What did you learn or realize from looking through this book? 

    The Green Book Movie Discussion Questions

    1. What is the year of the movie setting?
    2. How do the two main characters differ?
    3. Although Don Shirley did not personally know Tony Vallelonga, he hired him anyway. Why?
    4. What did you think of Shirley asking Tony’s wife for permission to take him on tour?
    5. Do you feel the events in the story are true to life, and why?
    6. Who is holding the Green Book copy of the paperback in the film? Why?
    7. Do you think perhaps other groups had similar travel guides then and perhaps now? Do you know of any such guides?
    8. Did you previously know about sundown towns?
    9. How do they deal with different rules when they both cannot eat or sleep in the same location?
    10. Do you think Jim Crow was worse in the south than elsewhere? Do you think Jim Crow was actually everywhere and still is in many ways, or do you think society has improved?
    11. The Green Book is based on interviews as well as letters written during the tour. Did you realize the movie was based on real-life before or after viewing? How does knowing it is a true story affect your feelings about the film?
    12. There is some controversy surrounding the film. Many films based on true life have to be adjusted for the story to be conveyed through sight and sound. Did you feel it represented the actual truth? Do you think it deserved the many awards it won?  
    13. Why do you think Don Shirley wanted it released after his death?
    14. How does Tony help Don in some specific situations? Do you think the tour would have been successful without Tony? Do you think without calling Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy the story would have turned out the same way?
    15. Tony gets home for Christmas but not because he can finish the drive through the snow. How does the film end?
    16. Don Shirley’s degrees in real life were honorary. Do you think in another era they would have been earned?
    17. The film is said to show a white savior. Do you feel that is true or do you believe the two men became friends? The family says they had a professional relationship only, but there are videos revealing friendship. Either way, is it important to the film?
    18. Would you recommend the film to others? Why or why not?


    Green Book Movie and 1940 Book Discussion Questions for Book Groups

    Green Book Movie and Original 1940 Book Discussion Questions for Book Groups


    MORE ABOUT THIS BLOG AND GETTING REVIEWS AND ANOTHER FREEBIE


     The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. Of particular interest to readers of this blog is her most recent How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically (http://bit.ly/GreatBkReviews ) It has 325 jam-packed pages covering everything from Amazon Vine to writing reviews for profit and promotion. Reviewers will have a special interest in the chapter on how to make reviewing pay, either as way to market their own books or as a career path--ethically!

    This blog is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shoutout praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines in the left column of this page or in the tab at the top of the home page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.



    Note: Participating authors and their publishers may request the social sharing image by Carolyn Wilhelm at no charge.  Please contact the designer at: cwilhelm (at) thewiseowlfactory (dot) com. Provide the name of the book being reviewed and--if an image or headshot of the author --isn't already part of the badge, include it as an attachment. Wilhelm will send you the badge to use in your own Internet marketing. Give Wilhelm the link to this post, too!