Meeting Minutes - Gary Draper: The Joy of Text - June 22nd. 2017
Ed Herold President presiding
40 Attendees
Welcome to all by Ed and especially to Gary Draper guest speaker
1 guest-Jim Calhoun. Saw ad in Tribune and attended on own
Ed reference Canada’s 150th birthday and proposed Canada is best country in the world. Our passport is valued by all and we have so many advantages compared to much of the world and he proposed a toast to Canada.
Len introduced Gary Draper- PhD thesis at Western and was associate prof at St. Jerome’s/UoW
-retired but speaks at Third Age Learning
Gary Draper on “The Joy of Text”
Reading books and all different kinds.
4 things contribute to reading: Language, narration, engagement, and transformation
Language: Don’t think how a book is written. If your reading is slow it could be writer. Sometimes writing is so good it is OK to go slow
References Richard Evans. Coming of the 3rd Reich. Gary reads 1st paragraph of book for effect. Writer draws you in with balance and interest. Suggest what does the prose sound like in the book you are reading. Try reading aloud and hear what it sounds like
Narration: In non –fiction the narrator is the author. In fiction it is different. Could be characters that are narrators. Suggest try to read Virginia Wolfe. Reads excerpt from book.
In your current book he asks who is the voice?
He wants a book that engages him and that are often better than life. At library he often reads first paragraph and suggest we do this. He reads powerful first paragraphs from David Copperfield, Tale of Two cities and from Ernest Hemmingway, The Old Man and the Sea
He references Tim O’Brien, The Things That They Carried. Reads from book. Book about soldiers in Vietnam. Recommends this book. Mentions that one soldier carries a love letter and this the key to this book
Engagement:
Mentions Alice Munro as one of Canada’s greatest writer. Reads from “Friends of my Youth” Neal and Brenda are characters that are truly engaging. Asks if we are learning from our books. If not we should consider changing books.
Questions:
Andy listens to audio books. Reader makes a big difference. A good reader can make a mediocre book seem better.
Julian asks should we red multiple books at one time? Gary tends to read one at a time but nothing wrong with that as often depends on your mood and interest. Suggest good to look for books reviewed in papers or ones that have won or been nominated for prizes
Julian thanks Gary for great presentation and this will encourage us to read more. Ed adds comments he can tell a book is good if can keep him awake reading in bed
Activities Committee:
Horse racing with dinner at Elora Raceway. Sept 25. Approx: $23 each. Sign up at future meetings.
Coffee Club: Gary needs someone to take over coffee morning as he can no longer do it. Easy job just reserve space. Ed thanked Gary and encourages attendance as get to know other members better. Good social outing.
Next Meeting : July 6, 2017 with presenter Janet Cutler Re: Benefits of Owning a Pet.
Adjournment 11:07 am
Recording Secretary: Martin Alderwick