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naoki's review
4.0
I'm SOOO curious about prison life. I also love talking about books. So when I saw this book on the shelf, I had to have it — books + prison = my dream. It did not disappoint.
Ann Walmsley gives you access to conversations between inmates during the first two Book Clubs for Inmates in Canada (there are now many).
Inmates share their thoughts on a wide range of books. Many I hadn't read before, but it didn't matter. It was enlightening to read perspectives from people with such different experiences from my own.
Walmsley navigated her time in prison and the writing of this book with compassion, empathy, and a deep respect for all those she encountered.
The power of reading and its ability to connect us is tremendous. The Prison Book Club is an ode to reading and a reminder of our humanity.
“By encouraging literacy while incarcerated, we help them (inmates) develop empathy, listening skills, and self-awareness" - Books Clubs for Inmates.
If you love books, you'll love this. A delightful read!
Ann Walmsley gives you access to conversations between inmates during the first two Book Clubs for Inmates in Canada (there are now many).
Inmates share their thoughts on a wide range of books. Many I hadn't read before, but it didn't matter. It was enlightening to read perspectives from people with such different experiences from my own.
Walmsley navigated her time in prison and the writing of this book with compassion, empathy, and a deep respect for all those she encountered.
The power of reading and its ability to connect us is tremendous. The Prison Book Club is an ode to reading and a reminder of our humanity.
“By encouraging literacy while incarcerated, we help them (inmates) develop empathy, listening skills, and self-awareness" - Books Clubs for Inmates.
If you love books, you'll love this. A delightful read!
irenesuamar's review against another edition
3.0
Ann Walmsley tells the true story of her visits to two prisons to help her friend Carol Finlay with the book club she has set-up. It is interesting to read about her feeling and interactions with the inmates. While I enjoy the discussions of each book that she recalls and found that all the inmates kind of merge into one in my head and couldn't tell them apart.
I enjoy the reading about the discussion about books I have read and I made a note about a few books I would like to read based on the book club. The book reflects the author job of being a columnist reviewing books.
I was pretty impressed with the description of Carol Finlay, she seems a remarkable woman! As obviously, as a person who likes reading, I was very pleased with the effect of reading on the inmates that Ann described as well as the research to back it up.
Over all, it is an ok book. It is not something that I will be recommending to strongly but nice to read a true story that isnt depressing (as most are).
I enjoy the reading about the discussion about books I have read and I made a note about a few books I would like to read based on the book club. The book reflects the author job of being a columnist reviewing books.
I was pretty impressed with the description of Carol Finlay, she seems a remarkable woman! As obviously, as a person who likes reading, I was very pleased with the effect of reading on the inmates that Ann described as well as the research to back it up.
Over all, it is an ok book. It is not something that I will be recommending to strongly but nice to read a true story that isnt depressing (as most are).
jrmarr's review
3.0
I'm not normally a fan of this type of book. This one was well-written and told the story of how reading and literature can transform lives. Good to read but probably not one I'll remember.
tbrq4's review against another edition
3.0
While the book was fascinating and intriguing to read and learn about prison life and how a book club can bring out the best in some prisoners, I found myself waiting for something exciting to happen - a jail break or incident perhaps? This may be because I'm used to reading fiction books with a plot line but also partially because I wondered what made the author decide to write a book about her experiences and how it become so popular.
Overall a good, easy read and I would recommend to anyone with an interest in putting yourself into someone else's life and experiencing a new situation.
Overall a good, easy read and I would recommend to anyone with an interest in putting yourself into someone else's life and experiencing a new situation.
marshallkr's review against another edition
4.0
“Because so much more is at stake. Anything could happen that could change their lives or mine.”
As an educator this book really hit home. Why do we choose the books we do for our students? What is the purpose? What do we want them to walk away with? What do we hope to learn from them?
The Prison Book Club demonstrates the power a book can have: the power to inspire, the power to teach, the power to heal and the power to transform. Some things to keep in mind as I choose the next book.
As an educator this book really hit home. Why do we choose the books we do for our students? What is the purpose? What do we want them to walk away with? What do we hope to learn from them?
The Prison Book Club demonstrates the power a book can have: the power to inspire, the power to teach, the power to heal and the power to transform. Some things to keep in mind as I choose the next book.
aribel2805's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
it’s a true story so i can’t judge the plot much and the writing is nothing wow but the story is nice and easy to follow. It makes you care for the people in it.
sweetramona's review against another edition
3.0
This book gets 3 stars from me, even though I think it is a very flawed book, because the basic subject matter is so interesting that I am glad I read it anyway. The author chronicles about a year or two of attending book club meetings in 3 men's prisons in Ontario, and discusses the responses of the men to the different books she reads.
Part of the introduction to the book details an assault upon the author that occurred several years prior to these events, and which made her very leery of participating in the groups. This could have been a very interesting frame for the story, as could the author's relationship with her father, but she doesn't pursue either of them with much vigor. She touches on them very briefly and fairly regularly, but doesn't explore either in any depth. The book seems full of these missed opportunities.
The author, a journalist, has a very dispassionate, almost cold, writing style; despite this, it is possible to engage with some of the prisoners, and their remarkable insights into the books are very much worth reading. The book succeeds in changing perceptions about the inmates, and in making a strong case for the book clubs themselves. I'm glad I read it for that reason, and that's why I am giving it 3 stars instead of 2.
Part of the introduction to the book details an assault upon the author that occurred several years prior to these events, and which made her very leery of participating in the groups. This could have been a very interesting frame for the story, as could the author's relationship with her father, but she doesn't pursue either of them with much vigor. She touches on them very briefly and fairly regularly, but doesn't explore either in any depth. The book seems full of these missed opportunities.
The author, a journalist, has a very dispassionate, almost cold, writing style; despite this, it is possible to engage with some of the prisoners, and their remarkable insights into the books are very much worth reading. The book succeeds in changing perceptions about the inmates, and in making a strong case for the book clubs themselves. I'm glad I read it for that reason, and that's why I am giving it 3 stars instead of 2.