It was a cold and rainy night, wait a minute, that's what it was last month. This is getting ridiculous and we're reading yet another depressing tale of woe or so some thought.
Anyway, after a bit of chit chat and wine, we settled down to some lovely "pig head" sandwiches and hot potato soup, nothing says Ireland like pig and potatoes. We also had Irish soda bread, cream puffs, sugar cookies and the ultimate carrot cake made by yours truly. All very lovely.
And now for the book "Angela's Ashes". What was Angela's Ashes? Edna thought that his mom was going to die but it turns out Angela's Ashes was her life, like ashes, was all burned up, nothing left, husband gone, children dead and finally Frank going off to America. She has nothing left, just like her cigarettes after she was finished smoking them; all that was left was ashes. Despite the extreme poverty and hardships, Frank doesn't give up. He rises above his lowly station in life. There were a number of amusing incidents and on the whole I liked the book. After asking if anyone would describe a childhood memory, we were entertained with life incidents from several people. I am going to get the sequel 'Tis which I thought he cleverly introduced in the last chapter with that one word.
I would like everyone to evaluate the books we have read last year and send me your selection for the best book from "Queen of the Big Time" to "The Glass Castle". See the list on the right.
Click on Comments and write in your choice, you do not need to include your name. I will announce the results at the next meeting. The next meeting will be at Edna's home on January 21 and we will read "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho.
It's been great fun and will see ya next year unless I see ya sooner.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.
KAthy G
OCTOBER 15 Meeting at Grace's
It was a cold and rainy night, in fact it was "colder than a witches tit" as someone once said. However once inside Grace's home we were greeted with warm Brei, a hearty Italian squash soup, cream cheese pizza and coffee to warm the cockles of one's heart. Anyway, we all felt a bit better after eating some warm food.
After dessert we began our discussion of "Scarlet Feather" by Maeve Binchy. The book contained many characters, some interesting, some hateful, some mean and others loving, caring, resourceful or clever. Take your pick there were a bunch. Most enjoyed the book but agreed that there were too many characters and some could have been eliminated without detriment to the story. Grace quizzed us on the book which I believe we did fairly well. The discussion then went in several directions but as always was lively and fun.
Next month we will meet at my house and read "Angela's Ashes" by Frank McCourt. There are several copies at the Martinsburg Public Library.
I would like to remind everyone that if you can not attend a meeting, please contact the hostess to let them know you are not going to be there. Also, if you are finished reading the book and wish to pass it along, either send a comment in the blog or send an email to the group.
Enjoy the book and see you in November.
KAthy G
After dessert we began our discussion of "Scarlet Feather" by Maeve Binchy. The book contained many characters, some interesting, some hateful, some mean and others loving, caring, resourceful or clever. Take your pick there were a bunch. Most enjoyed the book but agreed that there were too many characters and some could have been eliminated without detriment to the story. Grace quizzed us on the book which I believe we did fairly well. The discussion then went in several directions but as always was lively and fun.
Next month we will meet at my house and read "Angela's Ashes" by Frank McCourt. There are several copies at the Martinsburg Public Library.
I would like to remind everyone that if you can not attend a meeting, please contact the hostess to let them know you are not going to be there. Also, if you are finished reading the book and wish to pass it along, either send a comment in the blog or send an email to the group.
Enjoy the book and see you in November.
KAthy G
SEPTEMBER 17 Meeting
Through the misty fog we reached Sharon's house in the Winfield Development. Sharon made a wonder cheese ball, salad and several quiches. The girls brought several desserts much to Sharon's dismay......just kidding. Louisa passed out her recipe for Easy Colonial Oatmeal cookies that are to die for.
After dinner we first reviewed the rules of the book club and signed up for hosting the club for next year. There was a discussion over several of the rules. It was decided that bringing something to the meeting was very optional. We had the reached our limit for the number of members and unless someone died, then we couldn't at this time add another member. If someone did want to bring a guest that was permissible providing that the host was agreeable.
One noticeable change - please email or contact the host to let them know you are attending the book club each month. Please review GUIDE LINES below on the right side of this blog.
Next we discussed the book - "The Glass Castle" by Jeanette Walls. Sharon read several book reviews after which we had a very lively discussion. All agreed that the parents were a bit wacked out and not model parents to say the least. All liked the book except Gayle who gave it a partial thumbs down.
Next month we will meet at Grace's house and read "Scarlet Feather" by Maeve Binchy.
I will list the schedule for next year's book club on this blog.
KAthy G
After dinner we first reviewed the rules of the book club and signed up for hosting the club for next year. There was a discussion over several of the rules. It was decided that bringing something to the meeting was very optional. We had the reached our limit for the number of members and unless someone died, then we couldn't at this time add another member. If someone did want to bring a guest that was permissible providing that the host was agreeable.
One noticeable change - please email or contact the host to let them know you are attending the book club each month. Please review GUIDE LINES below on the right side of this blog.
Next we discussed the book - "The Glass Castle" by Jeanette Walls. Sharon read several book reviews after which we had a very lively discussion. All agreed that the parents were a bit wacked out and not model parents to say the least. All liked the book except Gayle who gave it a partial thumbs down.
Next month we will meet at Grace's house and read "Scarlet Feather" by Maeve Binchy.
I will list the schedule for next year's book club on this blog.
If you need to make any corrections or would like to add a comment, please sent it in a comment section of this blog.
Enjoy the book and see you in a October.
Enjoy the book and see you in a October.
KAthy G
AUGUST 20 Meeting
Tonight we ventured up to the Linda's house on the mountain. Edna manages to make it to the meeting despite the fact she broke both ankles. Alice chauffeured her . Linda layed out a Mexican dinner complete with homemade salsa, guacamole and tacos, muy bueno. Oh course we had an assortment of refreshments, the mandatory wine and drinks. Ruthi, Linda's guest make a scrumptious angel food cake with pineapple and cream, topped off with fresh peaches.
After dessert Linda lead the discussion of The Shack" with several questions. I thought it was going to be kinda heavy discussion but for the most part everyone agreed it was a good book and had an interesting concept of God. Edna thought it was more of a politically correct version of God, which I would have to agree. Louisa was not happy with the use of the child's murder to introduce the plot. Out of a ranking of 5, the book was given between a 3 - 4. I thought it was OK and not the must read the author seemed to express.
Next month we will meet at Sharon Henderson's house on September 17th and read "The Glass Castle" by Jeanette Walls. Summer is almost over so enjoy what is left to it. Poor Louisa has to go back to school tomorrow so her summer is officially over.
Think about what book you would like to introduce to the club next year and what month you would like to host.
If anyone has books they want listed on this blog, please post a comment to this blog.
Enjoy reading and see you in a month.
KAthy G
After dessert Linda lead the discussion of The Shack" with several questions. I thought it was going to be kinda heavy discussion but for the most part everyone agreed it was a good book and had an interesting concept of God. Edna thought it was more of a politically correct version of God, which I would have to agree. Louisa was not happy with the use of the child's murder to introduce the plot. Out of a ranking of 5, the book was given between a 3 - 4. I thought it was OK and not the must read the author seemed to express.
Next month we will meet at Sharon Henderson's house on September 17th and read "The Glass Castle" by Jeanette Walls. Summer is almost over so enjoy what is left to it. Poor Louisa has to go back to school tomorrow so her summer is officially over.
Think about what book you would like to introduce to the club next year and what month you would like to host.
If anyone has books they want listed on this blog, please post a comment to this blog.
Enjoy reading and see you in a month.
KAthy G
JULY 16 Meeting
It was a steamy summer night as we congregated around Louisa's kitchen with Strawberry Daiquiris, yummy. Louisa prepared a wonderful summer picnic of cold cuts, cheese, buns and pasta salad. It was a perfect meal for the first real summer day we had this season. Then came her buttery sugary oatmeal cookies to die for - the best oatmeal cookies ever.... Who would have thought a healthy cookie like oatmeal could taste so good.
Now to discuss the book. Everyone agreed that they enjoyed "Twenty Wishes"by Debbie Macomber. Louisa related that the book really struck home for her, having "lost" her husband and could relate to the main character. Alice created and shared some of the items on her "Wish List". A lively discussion followed with everyone adding something. I definitely need to start my wish list.
Linda Morris will host a bong party next month at her house. In the mean time we will read "The Shack" by William P. Young. From all the reviews I have read about this book, it should provoke some interesting discussion. I look forward to reading this book and seeing you all next month.
BTW -- Grace had a nasty fall down a flight of stairs at her home last Sunday and busted herself up pretty badly. She could not attend the book club meeting. Feel free to give her a call.
Have a great summer and keep cool.
KAthy G
Now to discuss the book. Everyone agreed that they enjoyed "Twenty Wishes"by Debbie Macomber. Louisa related that the book really struck home for her, having "lost" her husband and could relate to the main character. Alice created and shared some of the items on her "Wish List". A lively discussion followed with everyone adding something. I definitely need to start my wish list.
Linda Morris will host a bong party next month at her house. In the mean time we will read "The Shack" by William P. Young. From all the reviews I have read about this book, it should provoke some interesting discussion. I look forward to reading this book and seeing you all next month.
BTW -- Grace had a nasty fall down a flight of stairs at her home last Sunday and busted herself up pretty badly. She could not attend the book club meeting. Feel free to give her a call.
Have a great summer and keep cool.
KAthy G
JUNE 18 Meeting
Tonight we gathered at Pam's house. We immediately opened the wine to start our meeting. Actually we had a wonderful Chicken salad dinner before we started our discussion of "Poisonwood Bible".
Pam asked if we like the book and several said they did. Edna said it was a little depressing and I found it a bit too political for me. I did like the characters and the way the author had the girls relate their life in the Congo. No one in the group would have gone to Africa or would have stayed as long as Orleanna did with her four girls. After discussions of everything from graduations, travel and illegal alien, we finished with dessert and coffee.
Our next meeting will be on July 16 at Louisa Sonnik's house. She had chosen "Twenty Wishes" by Debbie Macomber for us to read.
I'm really proud of myself for remembering that I should give all of you the web site for the Iris Garden near Berkeley Springs - Exline Iris Garden
Enjoy the summer and see you all in a month.
KAthy G
Pam asked if we like the book and several said they did. Edna said it was a little depressing and I found it a bit too political for me. I did like the characters and the way the author had the girls relate their life in the Congo. No one in the group would have gone to Africa or would have stayed as long as Orleanna did with her four girls. After discussions of everything from graduations, travel and illegal alien, we finished with dessert and coffee.
Our next meeting will be on July 16 at Louisa Sonnik's house. She had chosen "Twenty Wishes" by Debbie Macomber for us to read.
I'm really proud of myself for remembering that I should give all of you the web site for the Iris Garden near Berkeley Springs - Exline Iris Garden
Enjoy the summer and see you all in a month.
KAthy G
MAY 21 Meeting
On a beautiful spring evening we met at Gayle's home. We were introduced to Gayle's famous "buns" which are known far and wide , even to the far reaches of Philly's homeless population according to Susan, Gayle's sister in law, who joined our discussion. "Gayle's buns" - ham sandwiches on home made buns, were very good and so was the chicken salad, broccoli salad and potato casserole.
After the usual pleasantries, we got down to the business of discussing "Comfort Food" by Kate Jacobs. Gayle had several questions relating to the characters in the book as well as their interaction with each other. This initiated discussion on Turning fifty, how your position in your family effects you, how you interact with your siblings, and a number of other topics. We all agreed that the happily-ever-after ending was not overly realistic, a little too sugar coated.
Since we recently added summer meetings, Grace doubled checked to make sure we have hostesses over the summer. Pam will host June, Louisa has July and Linda had agreed to August even though she wasn't at this meeting.
Our next meeting will be at Pam Hansrote's house in Spring Mills on June 18 and the book she has chosen is "Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver. If anyone has the book, please pass it around after you finish reading it. I checked with the Library and they have several books available. If you can't make it to the next meeting please call Pam at 304 274 6439 as she doesn't have an email address.
If anyone has books they want listed on this blog, please post a comment to this blog.
Enjoy reading and see you in a month.
KAthy G
After the usual pleasantries, we got down to the business of discussing "Comfort Food" by Kate Jacobs. Gayle had several questions relating to the characters in the book as well as their interaction with each other. This initiated discussion on Turning fifty, how your position in your family effects you, how you interact with your siblings, and a number of other topics. We all agreed that the happily-ever-after ending was not overly realistic, a little too sugar coated.
Since we recently added summer meetings, Grace doubled checked to make sure we have hostesses over the summer. Pam will host June, Louisa has July and Linda had agreed to August even though she wasn't at this meeting.
Our next meeting will be at Pam Hansrote's house in Spring Mills on June 18 and the book she has chosen is "Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver. If anyone has the book, please pass it around after you finish reading it. I checked with the Library and they have several books available. If you can't make it to the next meeting please call Pam at 304 274 6439 as she doesn't have an email address.
If anyone has books they want listed on this blog, please post a comment to this blog.
Enjoy reading and see you in a month.
KAthy G
April 16 Meeting
Our Book Club / Dinner Club meeting started off with a wonderful English dinner of Roast Beef, a variety of vegetables and of course Yorkshire Pudding and Gravy. How much better can it get. Well it did. Edna also made an English Trifle which was just as good as her mother's. (Big Edna's gonna get me).
While we discussed the book we were treated to Scottish Shortbread made by Gayle. In between all this eating we discussed "Outlander" by Diana Gabaldon. We were all surprised to see that Edna's book was a whole lot smaller than the paperback book the rest of us were reading ( just kidding ). Getting back to the book, Edna prepared a extensive list of questions about several incidents in this book, which made for an interesting discussion of time travel, Scottish clan life, crime and punishment and extrasensory perception or sixth sense. It was mentioned that this book might be made into a movie and I found a few sites online that indicate that it's in the works.
Our next meeting will be at Gayle McGowan's house on May 21 and the book she has choosen is "Comfort Food" by Kate Jacobs. If anyone has the book, please pass it around after you finish reading it.
We also decided to continue the club over the summer. So we need people to host the meeting for June, July and August. For those who have not hosted a meeting please let Grace know know if you could sponsor one this summer.
While investigating "Outlander" online, we also viewed the newest British Sensation Susan Boyle. Click here to listen to her sing -- unbelievable beautiful voice.
Enjoy reading and see you next month.
KAthy G
While we discussed the book we were treated to Scottish Shortbread made by Gayle. In between all this eating we discussed "Outlander" by Diana Gabaldon. We were all surprised to see that Edna's book was a whole lot smaller than the paperback book the rest of us were reading ( just kidding ). Getting back to the book, Edna prepared a extensive list of questions about several incidents in this book, which made for an interesting discussion of time travel, Scottish clan life, crime and punishment and extrasensory perception or sixth sense. It was mentioned that this book might be made into a movie and I found a few sites online that indicate that it's in the works.
Our next meeting will be at Gayle McGowan's house on May 21 and the book she has choosen is "Comfort Food" by Kate Jacobs. If anyone has the book, please pass it around after you finish reading it.
We also decided to continue the club over the summer. So we need people to host the meeting for June, July and August. For those who have not hosted a meeting please let Grace know know if you could sponsor one this summer.
While investigating "Outlander" online, we also viewed the newest British Sensation Susan Boyle. Click here to listen to her sing -- unbelievable beautiful voice.
Enjoy reading and see you next month.
KAthy G
March 19 Meeting
We celebrated St Patty's Day by reading "Plum Lucky" suggested by Alice McCarthy who served us Good Old Irish Stew cooked in Guinness Beer, along with Irish Soda Bread. It doesn't get any better than that. We also enjoyed several desserts and an assortment of wine.
Alice explained that her choice of book just caught her eye and she truly enjoyed the antics and characters in the book. It did contain a cast of zany secondary characters adding dimension to an already wonderful cast of main characters. It was a fun quick read.
Next month we will meet at Edna Miller's home after reading her choice - "Outlander" by Diana Gabaldon. It gives everyone additional time to finish reading this lengthy books if you haven't already done so.
Several other books were suggested for reading since many members have finished the required book:
Edna's books - "Water for Elephants" and "Secret Life of Bees" and
Gayle's books - "Lean Mean Thirteen" and "Plum Lovin'" by Janet Evanovich.
Again, if you have any book suggestions, please let me know and I will list them here on the blog and bring any books you wish to share at the next meeting.
We have a new member. Louisa Sonik was invited to this meeting by Alice and will be a new addition to our club.
Have fun reading, everybody and see you April 16.
Happy Easter!
KAthy G
Alice explained that her choice of book just caught her eye and she truly enjoyed the antics and characters in the book. It did contain a cast of zany secondary characters adding dimension to an already wonderful cast of main characters. It was a fun quick read.
Next month we will meet at Edna Miller's home after reading her choice - "Outlander" by Diana Gabaldon. It gives everyone additional time to finish reading this lengthy books if you haven't already done so.
Several other books were suggested for reading since many members have finished the required book:
Edna's books - "Water for Elephants" and "Secret Life of Bees" and
Gayle's books - "Lean Mean Thirteen" and "Plum Lovin'" by Janet Evanovich.
Again, if you have any book suggestions, please let me know and I will list them here on the blog and bring any books you wish to share at the next meeting.
We have a new member. Louisa Sonik was invited to this meeting by Alice and will be a new addition to our club.
Have fun reading, everybody and see you April 16.
Happy Easter!
KAthy G
February 19 Meeting
It seems like a long time since we all sat down to discuss a book because it really has been a very long time. Christmas has come and gone, then January's club got canceled because Edna decides to go and have a Gall Bladder attack. Just kiddin, Edna. And Pat Fogel will be leaving our little group. But tonight we got together at Ellen's home and discussed the life and times of Ted Turner after reading his autobiography "Call me Ted". It was decided that he was an successful business man but a terrible father and husband. I found him to be very creative and inovative. I objected to his whining about his troubled childhood, which didn't seem so bad by any stretch and I didn't care for Turner's Eleven Voluntary Initiatives. An example of not practicing what you preach. All in all we had a lively discussion.
We will meet at Alice McCarthy's house on March 19 (you MUST wear GREEN). Her book selection is "Plum Lucky" by Janet Evanovich.
I will post the book titles for the next several months when I get them from Grace. We decided not to have meetings during the summer months but feel free to bring in books you have read and would like to share, at our next meeting. We can read these over the summer months just like in school with summer reading programs, how fun!
Sharon brought in this Shepherd University 2009 - 2010 Common Reading list:
Thank you Ellen for preparing pulled pork for everyone. It is one of my favorite sandwiches.
Have fun reading,
KAthy G
We will meet at Alice McCarthy's house on March 19 (you MUST wear GREEN). Her book selection is "Plum Lucky" by Janet Evanovich.
I will post the book titles for the next several months when I get them from Grace. We decided not to have meetings during the summer months but feel free to bring in books you have read and would like to share, at our next meeting. We can read these over the summer months just like in school with summer reading programs, how fun!
Sharon brought in this Shepherd University 2009 - 2010 Common Reading list:
- Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the World by Tracy Kidder
- Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver
- The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers
- The Gospel According to Larry by Janet Tashjian
- The Glass Castle: A Memoire by Jeannette Walls
Thank you Ellen for preparing pulled pork for everyone. It is one of my favorite sandwiches.
Have fun reading,
KAthy G
