This department program began in the Spring of 2003 with the novel The Red Tent by Anita Diamant. The tradition continued in October 2003 with the discussion of The Girl With the Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier and in January 2004 with Sue Monk Kidd's The Secret Life of Bees. The booktalks continued in the 2004-5 school year with Galileo's Daughter by Dava Sobel in September and Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani in January. In October of 2005, a large group gathered to discuss The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini and hear a special presentation by Thomas E. Gouttierre, Dean of International Studies and Programs at UNO and UNMC and Director of the Center for Afghanistan Studies. In February 2006, friends of the southern style gathered to discuss Ann B. Ross and the first book in the Miss Julia series, Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind. In October of 2006, the Department sponsored a discussion of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Hadon.
Students, staff, parents, alumnae, Servites and friends of Marian were invited to join together for a continental breakfast provided by the English department members and continue with a round table discussion of the selected book. A student Mistress of Ceremonies welcomed the group and provided inspiration throughout the discussion. Members of the faculty and staff have been involved as special presenters in the past. For example, art teacher Mrs. Kathy McPherson introduced The Girl With a Pearl Earring by discussing the life and works of artist Vermeer and history teacher Mrs. Kim Remmick began the The Secret Life of Bees discussion with backgound on the segregation in the United States during the time period of the novel. Science teacher Mrs. Sharon Genoways introduced information on Galileo for Galileo's Daughter.
The students took over the booktalk idea with the formation of the Novelettes book club.
If you'd like to suggest a work for a future student-led Marian Booktalk Breakfast, please contact one of the student officers of the Novelettes found on the link above.
