This question in particular caught my attention so let’s make it our topic to talk about for this week! (See question after the jump!)

What is your first impression of George Bellamy? Does he remind you of anyone in your life? Can you create a really specific mental picture of your own grandfather? What did his voice and laughter sound like? How did he dress? What were some of his quirks? What did you enjoy doing with him?

My first impression is that George a really loveable, sweet, gentle guy who wants the best for everyone around him. I picture him being just like Arthur, the old man Kate Winslet befriends in the movie the Holiday. (Haven’t seen it? See a clip here).

My grandfather is also loveable, and sweet but can be stoic at times. He’s also a man of few words. He’ll tell you anything you want to know—but you have to do the asking. You can tell my grandpa gets a thrill out of playing with his grandchildren, the youngest of which is only three years old! He’s 85 but he doesn’t act a day over 60. One of my fondest memories is playing hide and go seek with him. My sister and I would shriek with delight when he snuck up on us in our hiding places!

What about you? Who does George remind you of? What is/was your grandfather like?

Check back next week for a new post! The discussion question will be:
Why does Claire feel so vulnerable in a small town like Avalon? What do you suppose was going through George’s head as he revisited the places of his youth? The Sky River Bakery and Camp Kioga in particular were important parts of his past. What emotions do they seem to bring up in the present?

Our latest selection is The Summer Hideaway by Susan Wiggs. We hope you’ll pick up a copy at Walmart and join our discussion by posting a comment below.

Prologue, Chapters 1-2

What did you think of the first two chapters of The Summer Hideaway? I’m really enjoying it. I’m eager for Ross to come home so he can get back to his life and spend the limited time he has with his grandfather. I would also like to learn more about Claire’s past—the details of the murder she witnessed and why it “was so dangerous she couldn’t even trust the police”? Even in the first few chapters I think The Summer Hideaway’s author Susan Wiggs has done a great job of drawing us in to want to know more about Ross, Claire and George. They’ve each each taken such different paths in life so far, I’m interested to learn how it’ll be for George and Ross to pick up where they left off and how the romance between Claire and Ross is going to unfold!  What do you think of the book so far?

Posted by Lindsay Benjamin, Assistant Editor