Title: The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley
Book Beginnings quote:
Friday56 quote:
Summary: A group of strangers in London become good friends after each one shares they deepest secrets in a little green notebook with the words Authenticity Project written on the cover. The notebook, started by an 80-year-old man, Julian, who is practically dying from loneliness after the loss of his wife fifteen years earlier. He began the project with the aim of telling one's own truth. When he leaves the notebook at a coffee shop, Monica finds it and she is quite moved by his message. She not only starts out to try to help Julian but she writes in the book herself, leaving it for someone else to find. Eventually others find the booklet and find their way to the coffee shop and to new friends, too.
Review: Kirkus Reviews says that The Authenticity Project is an enjoyable, cozy novel that covers tough topics. Those tough topics are loneliness, addiction, parenting, homosexuality, and ageism. In my opinion all of them are handled fairly casually but I still liked the story and the value it placed on friendship to help us through life's trials.
I am slated to lead the book club discussion. These questions seem to get at the heart of the book. I particularly like this one: "If you found 'The Authenticity Project,' what truth would you tell?" I wonder how authentic people will be with their answer.
-Anne
I would say, "None of us is exactly who we seem to be," just like in the book. I doubt that it's possible to be 100% authentic, even with ourselves, much less with other people. I thought it was kind of a beach read but may be an excellent discussion book anyway.
ReplyDeleteYes. I agree about the beach read. I warned the group at club last month and said we might want to pick something a bit more literary. The group decided to stay with this one. The discussion questions are pretty good so we might do okay.
DeleteWhat a fascinating story! Thanks for sharing, and here's mine: “THE WAY WE WEREN’T”
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a really unique story. Thanks for sharing it!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds good, even if lightly treated. Sometimes those "light" books start a serious conversation. Thanks for sharing the opening sentence(s) on Book Beginnings.
ReplyDeleteOur book club usually tackles more literary-type books so this one will definitely be a lighter read for the members, which is okay with it being a shortened club meeting since we do a Christmas craft each year at this time.
DeleteAnne-Our book for December is Eudora Honeysett though, not this one.
DeleteI like the sounds of this one, especially that beginning! Happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds very interesting. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteThese excerpts grabbed my attention. It sounds like a good one.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds absolutely divine!
ReplyDeleteAs for where to start with Christopher Moore? Oh gosh! What a hard question! You could start like I did with his very first, which was Practical Demonkeeping .... or a standalone like Lamb or Fluke. I'm having one of the college girls who lives at my hotel start with Fool and the Shakespeare trilogy. My son is starting with Bloodsucking Fiends and the vampire trilogy.
I really like the cover design of this book. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI read something recently about all the colorful book covers lately. Trends, for sure.
DeleteI really enjoyed this one - I read it when it came out, via NetGalley. I thought it was well done and heartwarming and apparently it helped me get through a difficult time by being a light and engaging read (I forget what the difficult time was now!) My review if you're interested: https://librofulltime.wordpress.com/2020/05/04/book-review-clare-pooley-the-authenticity-project/
ReplyDeleteThank you for this positive review of the book. I needed to know that the book had value.
DeleteThis sounds like such a lovely idea: bringing strangers together to sort through life's problems in ways that perhaps those close to us cannot. Too bad it's a bit light.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good book, and a good idea for real-life too.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great book, sometimes it's easier to confide to strangers! Thanks for dropping by my post and apologies for my own late return!
ReplyDelete