Thank you, Diana, for being our guest Blogger for April. You did a beautiful job. While I thoroughly enjoyed my trip, I missed you all! I just wanted to say that I appreciated Darby's contribution of the Wabi-Sabi. That added another layer of depth to an already intensely satisfying story. I felt the whole story was summed up in one quote: that man's triumph over life was the conquering of language. And I felt the author was triumphant in that using philosophy as her vehicle. I was truly impressed with the character development. And one of my favorite parts is where Paloma refuses to talk to the therapist without an attorney present! And now, I will defer to Diana for the remainder if this months blog!
Our host for April 2012 book club was Barb. She greeted us in her lovely redesigned patio and photographed us as we arrived and gave us all gorgeous Peonies from her garden. The menu:
Salmon fillets - Barb
Garden Salad – Carla G
Mushroom Risotto - Diana
Sweet Potato Chili - Elisabeth
Focaccia bread with special balsamic and olive oil - Terry
Baked fudge – Darby
LA Baguette chocolate cake - Barb
Birthday Cookies – Denise
Wine – Pam
Coffee - Barb
After an exceptionally delicious meal, Darby started our discussion by reading an expert from an article on what is wabi-sabi. Excerpt …“Pared down to its barest essence, wabi-sabi is the Japanese art of finding beauty in imperfection and profundity in nature, of accepting the natural cycle of growth, decay, and death. It’s simple, slow and uncluttered and it reveres authenticity above all….” The article further elaborates and is worth reading. http://nobleharbor.com/tea/chado/WhatIsWabi-Sabi.htm
We loved Renee and her philosophical observances of the world. While she goes through her daily routines, she examines people, art, literature, movies and relationships in a wabi-sabi manner. She relishes the simple pleasures of daily tea and conversation with her dearest friend, tends to her cat Leo, contends with the demands of her employers and does so with unsuspecting humor. We were sad that she was tragically killed, but we realize that it is wabi-sabi. For we also loved Paloma, Renee’s 12 year counterpart, who believes the world is meaningless and plans to commit suicide. Once she and Renee become friends, Paloma begins to reexamine her views, and is on the brink of change, when Renee meets her untimely demise with a dry cleaning van. At first we are stunned and profoundly sad that Renee’s life comes to an abrupt end – after all she’s just opened a new chapter and she and Mr. Ozu are a perfect match. But, Renee’s death saves Paloma’s life as Paloma feels true loss and the heart ache for those left behind & realizes life is not meaningless.
Denise shared with us Googled Hedgehog quotes that elicited rereading many of our favorite quotes. http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/1531887-l-el-gance-du-h-risson
“Do you know that it is in your company that I have had my finest thoughts?” One we’d all like to hear.
― Muriel Barbery, The Elegance of the Hedgehog
I’ll end now by saying that writing is a challenge for me, and especially so when sharing with my literary friends. My email summaries are ones I can easily express; about the good company, food, and plans.
And while I love to read, I find it a painful task to summarize a story; kind of like listening to music, love it but can’t perform. So I truly appreciate what a great job Sherrie does each month summarizing with humor, love, and dedication the recap of our meetings. The blog is our history is being recorded, and there are many instances when a question is asked and I can go to the blog and find out when something happened, when it’s going to happen, or what we thought. I say a big THANK YOU Sherrie and I personally hope you never miss book club again!!!haha
And finally, a good quote to end this book club blog.
“When something is bothering me, I seek refuge. No need to travel far; a trip to the realm of literary memory will suffice. For where can one find more noble distraction, more entertaining company, more delightful enchantment than in literature?”
― Muriel Barbery, The Elegance of the Hedgehog
For the record:
From our discussion, this book will be one of the most quoted, and without a doubt in our top books. It rated 4.9 of 5.
We decided, beginning in August, to change our meeting night back to the second Friday of the month except May and December and those dates determined closer to the meeting.
The book for May is "Remarkable Creatures" by Tracy Chevalier and the book for June is "Corduroy Mansion" by Alexander McCall Smith.
Here is the Chili recipe, I best write it now, lest I forget.
2 T olive oil
1 lrg onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 med sweet potatoes, diced
3 garlic gloves
3 T chili pdr
1 t salt
2 t cumin
1 t black pepper
1/4 t red pepper
2 t dried basil
1/2 t dried marjoram
1 can diced Ro-Tel tomatoes with chilies; 14oz can chicken or veg. broth (no MSG); Two 14 oz cans black beans, drained; Juice of 1 line (2 T); Heat olive oil, glaze onions and peppers. Add potatoes and garlic, simmer about 1 minute. Add tomatoes, broth, herbs and spices. Simmer uncovered about 30 min. Stir in beans, cook 10 more add lime toss and serve.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Saturday, March 17, 2012
March 2012 Book Club
Our book this month was Ann Pachett's State of Wonder. The book doesn't have anything to do with the Irish but I threw the Shamrock in the photo since this is St. Patrick's Day weekend. Top O' the mornin' to ya!
Although in honor of the day Janie served a delicious Shepherd's pie. The meat dish was accompanied by a salad, scones, and fruit and topped off with cookies and brownies.
We had quite a small group last night thanks to this being spring break. Laura, Terry, Carla A., Pam, Barb and Darby were all out of town. We missed them but know they are all having fun.
This month's book starts us off in Minnesota winter and takes us to the stifling heat and humidity of the Amazon. Our protagonist, Dr. Marina Singh is a research scientist for a pharmaceutical company. This company had discovered a tribe in the Amazon where the women never experience menopause and are able, and do, conceive babies well in to their 70's. They are trying to find out why and develop a drug that would mimic the effect. One of the scientists is missing and presumed dead. Marina is in a relationship with her boss but he thinks nothing if sending Marina on this dangerous mission to find out what happened.
This is at least the 2nd book we've read about the Amazon. There was 100% agreement that neither of the books enticed us to want to go there.
Everyone liked the book. The book rated a 3.5 with Pam and Carla A. reporting an absentee vote of "liked it very much."
Carla G. liked the story and the writing but thought there were holes in the story and was not completely satisfied with the ending and we all agreed. Janie said the story construction was like a metaphor for the Amazon itself. It is a dangerous and demanding place. Survival requires you put your head down and deal with whatever is right in front of you. There's no time for sentimentality. Well said, Janie.
For me, the story kept reminding me of the old Kathryn Hepburn - Humphrey Bogart movie "The African Queen". That is not a bad thing at all. I just saw similarities in the story.
Books (and movies) like this make me very happy they I can travel vicariously to places I would never want to visit in real life.
While the story used a search and rescue mission as its vehicle the underlying story struggles with the ethical issues of industry vs. nature, progress vs. indigenous people, love vs. profit. The book kept my interest and curious to find out what happened.
Next month's book is The Elegance of the Hedgehog.
Although in honor of the day Janie served a delicious Shepherd's pie. The meat dish was accompanied by a salad, scones, and fruit and topped off with cookies and brownies.
We had quite a small group last night thanks to this being spring break. Laura, Terry, Carla A., Pam, Barb and Darby were all out of town. We missed them but know they are all having fun.
This month's book starts us off in Minnesota winter and takes us to the stifling heat and humidity of the Amazon. Our protagonist, Dr. Marina Singh is a research scientist for a pharmaceutical company. This company had discovered a tribe in the Amazon where the women never experience menopause and are able, and do, conceive babies well in to their 70's. They are trying to find out why and develop a drug that would mimic the effect. One of the scientists is missing and presumed dead. Marina is in a relationship with her boss but he thinks nothing if sending Marina on this dangerous mission to find out what happened.
This is at least the 2nd book we've read about the Amazon. There was 100% agreement that neither of the books enticed us to want to go there.
Everyone liked the book. The book rated a 3.5 with Pam and Carla A. reporting an absentee vote of "liked it very much."
Carla G. liked the story and the writing but thought there were holes in the story and was not completely satisfied with the ending and we all agreed. Janie said the story construction was like a metaphor for the Amazon itself. It is a dangerous and demanding place. Survival requires you put your head down and deal with whatever is right in front of you. There's no time for sentimentality. Well said, Janie.
For me, the story kept reminding me of the old Kathryn Hepburn - Humphrey Bogart movie "The African Queen". That is not a bad thing at all. I just saw similarities in the story.
Books (and movies) like this make me very happy they I can travel vicariously to places I would never want to visit in real life.
While the story used a search and rescue mission as its vehicle the underlying story struggles with the ethical issues of industry vs. nature, progress vs. indigenous people, love vs. profit. The book kept my interest and curious to find out what happened.
Next month's book is The Elegance of the Hedgehog.
Friday, February 17, 2012
February 2012 Book Club
This month brings us around to celebrating our tradition and exchange of Valentine's. We were so sorry that Lou, Terry, Carla G., and Janie had other commitments. Among the cards and candies Darby surprised us with a balloon heart that popped up and expanded!
Arnora hosted this month and provided a delicious pulled pork. Diana brought a sweet potato and mushroom dish and Pam brought a Quinoa salad. There were veggies and dip, plate of breads and miniature cupcakes for dessert. We're still trying to polish off the wine and champagne from New Year's.
This months book was The Cat's Table by Michael Ondaatje. This is the most recent work from the author of The English Patient.
The book was generally well received by the group. The book rated 3.25.
The book is a fictionalized autobiography of the author's journey, at 11 years old, on a ship from Colombo (Ceylon, Shri Lanka) to London. Here he is to be reunited with his mother after an absence if 3-4 years. The story is about the people he meets and the experiences he has.
Though the protagonist is not orphaned, he is unaccompanied by adult supervision and therefore allowed the run of the ship with two friend's he makes. He has many of his own adventures but also observes much adult interaction of a secret and verboten nature.
The title takes it's name from the dining table furthest from the Captain's table and reserved for those of the lower classes.
Mr. Ondaatje has a keen use of description and metaphor and I enjoyed a few particular passages. Overall, I found the writing to be very passive and what should have been an exciting adventure left me feeling bored.
However, this is why we have book club. Laura offered a perspective from a former Asian student. He told her that in their culture, it is an insult to "attack" the reader with the story. Mr. Ondaatje identifies himself as Asian and this probably accounts for what seems like passivity in his writing.
Denise pointed out she had read that he is not big on character development. He also leaves a number of unanswered questions in the story. All of these techniques put more responsibility on the reader. In his book he points out that with art, the artists expression is not complete without the viewer. So, in his books, his writing is not complete until we, the reader, finish the story.
Next month's book is Ann Patchett's "State of Wonder". For March we have settled on "The Elegance of the Hedgehog.
Arnora hosted this month and provided a delicious pulled pork. Diana brought a sweet potato and mushroom dish and Pam brought a Quinoa salad. There were veggies and dip, plate of breads and miniature cupcakes for dessert. We're still trying to polish off the wine and champagne from New Year's.
This months book was The Cat's Table by Michael Ondaatje. This is the most recent work from the author of The English Patient.
The book was generally well received by the group. The book rated 3.25.
The book is a fictionalized autobiography of the author's journey, at 11 years old, on a ship from Colombo (Ceylon, Shri Lanka) to London. Here he is to be reunited with his mother after an absence if 3-4 years. The story is about the people he meets and the experiences he has.
Though the protagonist is not orphaned, he is unaccompanied by adult supervision and therefore allowed the run of the ship with two friend's he makes. He has many of his own adventures but also observes much adult interaction of a secret and verboten nature.
The title takes it's name from the dining table furthest from the Captain's table and reserved for those of the lower classes.
Mr. Ondaatje has a keen use of description and metaphor and I enjoyed a few particular passages. Overall, I found the writing to be very passive and what should have been an exciting adventure left me feeling bored.
However, this is why we have book club. Laura offered a perspective from a former Asian student. He told her that in their culture, it is an insult to "attack" the reader with the story. Mr. Ondaatje identifies himself as Asian and this probably accounts for what seems like passivity in his writing.
Denise pointed out she had read that he is not big on character development. He also leaves a number of unanswered questions in the story. All of these techniques put more responsibility on the reader. In his book he points out that with art, the artists expression is not complete without the viewer. So, in his books, his writing is not complete until we, the reader, finish the story.
Next month's book is Ann Patchett's "State of Wonder". For March we have settled on "The Elegance of the Hedgehog.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
January 2012 "Pajama-nannigans!"
A dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world. Oscar Wilde, 1888.
The circus arrives without warning. Opens at nightfall, closes at dawn. The Night Circus; Les Cirques des Reves or Circus of Dreams. A first novel by Erin Morgenstern was a great way to open book club 2012. The book is a multi-layered adventure driven by character rather than plot. The book is rich in symbolism and hypnotic language. We are transported to Victorian England where this unusual circus is being conceptualized simultaneously with a competition. Two long time illusionists pit their young protoge's against each other in a conflict they don't understand and where they are unaware of who their opponent is.
The author writes the story from different narrative perspectives. Part of the time you are watching the story unfold and sometimes it is "you" entering the circus. The story is also told from a non-linear sequence as it reveals the conflict and introduces new characters.
We decided that the story had the feeling of being caught in a snow globe, contained and atmospheric. Some of the themes we identified were nature vs. nurture and emotions vs. Intellect. The response of the audience is part of the power of the performance. Also, it turns out that the conflict was more of a balancing of the scales rather than a competition to the death.
The book rated. 4.75 and most of us decided we would read it again to delve more fully into the symbolism.
We had a good laugh when Laura revealed that she had started the audio book in the middle and didn't realize it until she was almost finished. And, Carla G. confessed she had put her CD's in and accidentally hit "shuffle", haha.
Diana did a most excellent job creating the mood of the night circus. The table was set in black, white and red. She made a "tent" centerpiece and made us all red scarves to identify us as "circus dreamers".
We had our annual pajama party and delicious brunch foods and Bellini's.
We missed Denise and Lou, but I'm guessing we might want to revisit this book for another discussion to bring closure to some if the questions we still had.
February's book is The Cat's Table and for March we are reading State of Wonder by Ann Patchett.
The circus arrives without warning. Opens at nightfall, closes at dawn. The Night Circus; Les Cirques des Reves or Circus of Dreams. A first novel by Erin Morgenstern was a great way to open book club 2012. The book is a multi-layered adventure driven by character rather than plot. The book is rich in symbolism and hypnotic language. We are transported to Victorian England where this unusual circus is being conceptualized simultaneously with a competition. Two long time illusionists pit their young protoge's against each other in a conflict they don't understand and where they are unaware of who their opponent is.
The author writes the story from different narrative perspectives. Part of the time you are watching the story unfold and sometimes it is "you" entering the circus. The story is also told from a non-linear sequence as it reveals the conflict and introduces new characters.
We decided that the story had the feeling of being caught in a snow globe, contained and atmospheric. Some of the themes we identified were nature vs. nurture and emotions vs. Intellect. The response of the audience is part of the power of the performance. Also, it turns out that the conflict was more of a balancing of the scales rather than a competition to the death.
The book rated. 4.75 and most of us decided we would read it again to delve more fully into the symbolism.
We had a good laugh when Laura revealed that she had started the audio book in the middle and didn't realize it until she was almost finished. And, Carla G. confessed she had put her CD's in and accidentally hit "shuffle", haha.
Diana did a most excellent job creating the mood of the night circus. The table was set in black, white and red. She made a "tent" centerpiece and made us all red scarves to identify us as "circus dreamers".
We had our annual pajama party and delicious brunch foods and Bellini's.
We missed Denise and Lou, but I'm guessing we might want to revisit this book for another discussion to bring closure to some if the questions we still had.
February's book is The Cat's Table and for March we are reading State of Wonder by Ann Patchett.
Monday, December 12, 2011
December Book Club 2011
December Book Club has come and gone. It is absolutely mind boggling that this year is at its close and that we have celebrated 10 years of books, food, fun and friendship. This month Carla G. hosted and we pitched in for pizza and Laura brought Italian Cream Cake. Carla G. made the frozen drink "red rooster" and we had the usual assortment of wines and coffee. We had such fun exchanging our cards and traditional gifts. We missed Terry as she was home nursing a cold. Diana brought her camera and tripod and simulated our professional photo from last year. I think they turned out as good.
This month we read both The Autobiography of Santa Claus and Dicken's The Christmas Carol. The Auto-bio of Santa was recommended by Diana and generally well received. The premise was an "as told to" story; Santa revealing his long history and intertwining it with world history.
The Classic Christmas story of Scrooge was a review for many but a first time read for some who had only seen the movies. Scrooge is also a story told against the history of the time and has that in common with our first book.
Next month we will meet at Diana's for a January pajama party with breakfast/brunch foods. I will be wearing the socks Darby got us.
Our January 2012 will kick off our next decade with The Night Circus.
This month we read both The Autobiography of Santa Claus and Dicken's The Christmas Carol. The Auto-bio of Santa was recommended by Diana and generally well received. The premise was an "as told to" story; Santa revealing his long history and intertwining it with world history.
The Classic Christmas story of Scrooge was a review for many but a first time read for some who had only seen the movies. Scrooge is also a story told against the history of the time and has that in common with our first book.
Next month we will meet at Diana's for a January pajama party with breakfast/brunch foods. I will be wearing the socks Darby got us.
Our January 2012 will kick off our next decade with The Night Circus.
Monday, September 12, 2011
September 2011 Book Club
As we continue to celebrate 10 years of book club we convened at cabins at Medicine Park (Lawton) Oklahoma for a fall retreat. Laura secured two cabins for us: White Horse Lodge and Buffalo Gal and we started arriving around 2 on Friday. Since we had two days of food I cannot begin to list all of the items individually by person. However, I will hit a few. We started out with Darby's delicious Pork Verde on Friday night & Terry brought cheesecake for dessert. Laura made a breakfast casserole for Saturday morning. We ate our lunch out at the Winery and cooked chicken, salmon, steak, veggies and fruit on the grill Saturday evening. We mixed those leftovers with eggs for Sunday morning breakfast. As always, the food was great. Hats off to the cooks! And really thanks to everyone who brought food, wine, coffee, condiments, the charcoal and lighter, paper plates & cups, etc. As always we probably could have fed the whole of Medicine Park on the food we brought.
The cabins were just darling and slept us all quite comfortably. I slept on a screened in porch for the first time in my life. Something else I can check off of my "sand pail" list as my friend, Donna, likes to call it. The weather cooperated nicely as the scorching heat of the summer has backed off considerably. We had a large patio between the two cabins which served as a "great room" for gathering and we had our book club meeting there on Friday after dinner by the light of the Chimenea. We were so sorry that Barb, Pam and Lou could not be with us. But we welcomed guest Jackie Odell and returning book club member Tammy Tipton! We were so excited to learn that Tammy has moved back to Oklahoma, even if that might be temporarily. We look forward to her returning to book club as time permits while she is "land locked!"
We almost had our first male book club member as fellow "camper" Gordon kept trying to join the group. I think the poor guy finally got frustrated and gave up on getting any attention.
Our book this month was "Burning Bright" by Tracy Chevalier. This author also penned "The Girl with the Pearl Earring" that book club read during its first year. Laura had found this book life changing for her and so we thought another by the same author would be a good read. The review of "Burning Bright" said it was a fictional account of the life of poet and artist William Blake. Some of the words used to describe the story were: impassioned, full of pageantry, energetic, a vivid story, and exhilarating. Unfortunately, for all us, the story fell far short of the description. Even for those who liked it better than others, the concensus was that the William Blake was a "vehicle" for the story but that it wasn't about him. The story is told through the eyes of a family living in London next door to Blake at the time of the French Revolution. Everyone, without exception, wanted more about Blake.
Most agreed that the story was slow but a few found it more interesting than others. I personally found it dull, repetitive and droning. When Laura read "The Girl with the Pearl Earring" it was the first historical fiction for her that actually captivated her and transported her to another time. She was with the girl as she mixed the paints and she could inhale the smells of the studio. We did not find this portrait of London in 1792 as intoxicating. The book rated a 2.6.
During the rest of our weekend we took a little stroll through the main street of town and did a little shopping. We really enjoyed our lunch at the winery and tried to find some "action" on Saturday night but the only music in town was a guy with a guitar, a bud light and an Ipod. He sang one of his original songs for us and a couple of us attempted a dance under the full moon and disco ball. Sounds corny and it was - but we got a kick out of it. Unfortunately, Diana twisted her ankle and one of the air conditioners made a fuss but all in all it was a perfect weekend with all the usual suspects rounded up for a great time: best friends, great food & drinks, stimulating conversation and a lot of laughs.
Throughout the weekend we reminisced and recounted some of our favorite book club memories. And here is to the next 10 years!
October's book is Beyond Seduction by Emma Holly. This will be a new genre for us. Stay tuned!
The cabins were just darling and slept us all quite comfortably. I slept on a screened in porch for the first time in my life. Something else I can check off of my "sand pail" list as my friend, Donna, likes to call it. The weather cooperated nicely as the scorching heat of the summer has backed off considerably. We had a large patio between the two cabins which served as a "great room" for gathering and we had our book club meeting there on Friday after dinner by the light of the Chimenea. We were so sorry that Barb, Pam and Lou could not be with us. But we welcomed guest Jackie Odell and returning book club member Tammy Tipton! We were so excited to learn that Tammy has moved back to Oklahoma, even if that might be temporarily. We look forward to her returning to book club as time permits while she is "land locked!"
We almost had our first male book club member as fellow "camper" Gordon kept trying to join the group. I think the poor guy finally got frustrated and gave up on getting any attention.
Our book this month was "Burning Bright" by Tracy Chevalier. This author also penned "The Girl with the Pearl Earring" that book club read during its first year. Laura had found this book life changing for her and so we thought another by the same author would be a good read. The review of "Burning Bright" said it was a fictional account of the life of poet and artist William Blake. Some of the words used to describe the story were: impassioned, full of pageantry, energetic, a vivid story, and exhilarating. Unfortunately, for all us, the story fell far short of the description. Even for those who liked it better than others, the concensus was that the William Blake was a "vehicle" for the story but that it wasn't about him. The story is told through the eyes of a family living in London next door to Blake at the time of the French Revolution. Everyone, without exception, wanted more about Blake.
Most agreed that the story was slow but a few found it more interesting than others. I personally found it dull, repetitive and droning. When Laura read "The Girl with the Pearl Earring" it was the first historical fiction for her that actually captivated her and transported her to another time. She was with the girl as she mixed the paints and she could inhale the smells of the studio. We did not find this portrait of London in 1792 as intoxicating. The book rated a 2.6.
During the rest of our weekend we took a little stroll through the main street of town and did a little shopping. We really enjoyed our lunch at the winery and tried to find some "action" on Saturday night but the only music in town was a guy with a guitar, a bud light and an Ipod. He sang one of his original songs for us and a couple of us attempted a dance under the full moon and disco ball. Sounds corny and it was - but we got a kick out of it. Unfortunately, Diana twisted her ankle and one of the air conditioners made a fuss but all in all it was a perfect weekend with all the usual suspects rounded up for a great time: best friends, great food & drinks, stimulating conversation and a lot of laughs.
Throughout the weekend we reminisced and recounted some of our favorite book club memories. And here is to the next 10 years!
October's book is Beyond Seduction by Emma Holly. This will be a new genre for us. Stay tuned!
Thursday, August 11, 2011
August Book Club 2011
August book club was held at Lou's. We had planned to do it poolside at the house in Blanchard but there was a change in plans. Lou and Gene have purchased the Holmberg House B & B on the OU campus. Gene and Lou worked quickly to freshen up the place and make it their own while working around their guests. The good news is that the transition has been seemless and they are consistently booked! Congratulations you two! And they managed to host book club at the new house.
This has been a big year of change for a lot of us in book club I thought this might be a good time to recap our year. In addition to the Christian's buying the B & B ....
Pam has recovered from surgery and is back at work and school. She traveled to Scotland, Malta and Chicago. In fact, she can't be with us tonight as they don't return until Sunday.
Diana and I went to the UK (including Edinburgh) and Paris and I just returned from Chicago and Lake Geneva. Next week, Carla A and I are off to Taos and Santa Fe. Janie and Terry also visited the UK (including Edinburgh), what's up with Scotland? That seemed to be the destination this year. Denise left her job at the end of June. She plans to do some volunteer work but is going to also puruse other passsions. Laura is sending her daughter to her freshman year at OU and her son enters high school. I know Arnora has also been traveling. And, if I have missed anyone or anything just let me know and I will update the blog.
It has been quite a year of big changes and transformations.
This months book is called The Revenant. Another Yound Adult novel set at a Cherokee seminary in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. A young woman faced with having to leave school to go home and help her pregnant mother causes her to act in desperation and take on the identity of one of her friend's. This girl was supposed to take a teaching job at the seminary but at the last minute decides to marry. She leaves it up to our herione to send the message. Instead, she shows up at the school under the assumed identity. The school is haunted by a young girl who has tragically died the year before in a mysterious drowning accident and the mystery is solved over the course of the story. The story intrigued us because it is set in an Oklahoma town that is familiar to us all and because of the Native American element. And who doesn't love a good ghost story?
However, we did a "speed" version the discussion of this book as we decided upon arriving that the majority of us wanted to see the movie The Help on its opening night. The discussion of the Revenant sounded a bit like trying to listen to a 45 record at 77 speed! I think we can suffice it to say that everyone liked this book "ok". It was an interesting enough story but it wasn't riveting or life changing. We picked "Burning Bright" by Tracy Chevalier for September and are planning to review it at a retreat location.
Dinner tonight was "make your own gourmet pizza". Lou provided the crusts and everyone brought a variety of toppings and Janie made a fruit tart for dessert. Thankfully, we did not speed through dinner! The pizza's were awesome. And those that made it to the movie thorougly enjoyed it. The casting was dead on and they were really true to the book. There were a few things they left out but in a movie they usually have to edit for time.
This has been a big year of change for a lot of us in book club I thought this might be a good time to recap our year. In addition to the Christian's buying the B & B ....
Pam has recovered from surgery and is back at work and school. She traveled to Scotland, Malta and Chicago. In fact, she can't be with us tonight as they don't return until Sunday.
Diana and I went to the UK (including Edinburgh) and Paris and I just returned from Chicago and Lake Geneva. Next week, Carla A and I are off to Taos and Santa Fe. Janie and Terry also visited the UK (including Edinburgh), what's up with Scotland? That seemed to be the destination this year. Denise left her job at the end of June. She plans to do some volunteer work but is going to also puruse other passsions. Laura is sending her daughter to her freshman year at OU and her son enters high school. I know Arnora has also been traveling. And, if I have missed anyone or anything just let me know and I will update the blog.
It has been quite a year of big changes and transformations.
This months book is called The Revenant. Another Yound Adult novel set at a Cherokee seminary in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. A young woman faced with having to leave school to go home and help her pregnant mother causes her to act in desperation and take on the identity of one of her friend's. This girl was supposed to take a teaching job at the seminary but at the last minute decides to marry. She leaves it up to our herione to send the message. Instead, she shows up at the school under the assumed identity. The school is haunted by a young girl who has tragically died the year before in a mysterious drowning accident and the mystery is solved over the course of the story. The story intrigued us because it is set in an Oklahoma town that is familiar to us all and because of the Native American element. And who doesn't love a good ghost story?
However, we did a "speed" version the discussion of this book as we decided upon arriving that the majority of us wanted to see the movie The Help on its opening night. The discussion of the Revenant sounded a bit like trying to listen to a 45 record at 77 speed! I think we can suffice it to say that everyone liked this book "ok". It was an interesting enough story but it wasn't riveting or life changing. We picked "Burning Bright" by Tracy Chevalier for September and are planning to review it at a retreat location.
Dinner tonight was "make your own gourmet pizza". Lou provided the crusts and everyone brought a variety of toppings and Janie made a fruit tart for dessert. Thankfully, we did not speed through dinner! The pizza's were awesome. And those that made it to the movie thorougly enjoyed it. The casting was dead on and they were really true to the book. There were a few things they left out but in a movie they usually have to edit for time.
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