Book Chatter

1984
By George Orwell
Written in 1948

With this last election cycle, I could not help but compare it to this classic, 1984. To be fair though, It’s been years since I’ve read it so I decided to read it again during the month of December.

Schedule (optional)

It’s in three parts, and I SWORE I would not make a schedule but some readers like to have a little structure so here is a brief, brief plan.

Read Part 1 by 12/13
Read Part 2 by 12/20
Read Part 3, finish by 12/31

Here are some questions to ponder:

*Why does Winston keep a diary? Given the presence of the Thought Police, the constant surveillance, and the like, is it not dangerous?

*What do you think of when you are first introduced to the ministries?

Ministry of Truth (news and entertainment, education)
Ministry of Peace (war)
Ministry of Love (law and order)
Ministry of Plenty (economic affairs)

*What about this motto? How does it compare to what we are experiencing today?

War is peace.
Freedom is slavery.
Ignorance is strength.

*In 1984, the language spoken is Newspeak. It’s a language that is designed to limit the range of human thought. Also called Double Think. It’s a paring down of meaning, for example Uncold instead of warm. It also uses excessive abbreviations. Can you detect hints of this in today’s world? Provide an example.

*The purpose of the Two Minutes Hate in George Orwell’s 1984 is to channel the citizens’ frustrations and emotions towards a common enemy, ultimately ensuring loyalty to the Party and preventing any rebellious thoughts or actions. In relation to our media sources today, is this something that is actually happening now?

*Who is Big Brother?

Ponder these questions and we will reconvene 12/13.

Before the Coffee Gets Cold
By Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Hanover Square Press, 9781335430991, November 2020, 272 pp.

The Short of It:

Grab a coffee and enjoy.

The Rest of It:

Everyone has heard of this book and the books that follow it. I was SO late to the party with this one even though I’ve owned a copy for a very long time. I finally got to it late one night.

In a small, basement cafe, there is one seat that can transport you to the past or future, but only once and only if the strictest rules are followed.

This story consists of a very small cast of characters all in one setting, the cafe itself. The owners of the cafe do what they can to guide each person as they seek time travel, but they can’t really explain how it came about, only that it works from one specific seat and has to happen before their coffee gets cold.

That’s right. The entire process has to happen before their coffee gets cold. It’s just a brief moment to visit a specific time period and no matter what they do, it can never change the present. So why bother?

Each person who chooses to sit in that seat has their own reasons for doing so. Mostly for closure but even with the rules, they still hope to correct something in the present. Like saving someone from certain death.

It’s a bittersweet story. These characters long for their loved ones and feel the full weight of their decision to go back or forward.

I really enjoyed this simply told tale. I’ve already added the next book to my shelf. We could all use some feel good books right about now.

Source: Borrowed
Disclosure: This post contains Bookshop.org affiliate links.

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