November 18 Meeting at Kathy's

First order of business was the announcement of the best book for 2009 - 2010:

#1 - "The Help" by Katheryne Stockett

#2 - "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer

And now for what everyone describes as "the book" – "Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers" by Mary Roach. I recommended this book, first because it's about something real.  I listed all the books we've read so far, and find most are fiction or fiction based on fact.  Only 3 books were non - fiction and so I set out to remendy this.  The second reason I suggested this book is because I found it very informative.  I learned things I didn't know before and appreciated all those whose job it is to better humanity through jobs which others might find distasteful.  Several members agreed with me and several disagreed.  Alice said she couldn’t read it and found it unsettling.  Linda didn't care for it based on life experiences. As always we had a very – dare I say “lively” discussion and all had something to say.  I would really like to know how those who didn’t attend viewed the book but alas that is not to be.  Like the author, I did change my mind about donating my body to science but do believe that donating organs is extremely beneficial.

Next meeting will be at Edna’s home on Jan 20th and read "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" by Mitch Albom.

I wish you all a happy and healthy Thanksgiving and will see you all at the “Purple Iris” Girls get together that Grace has organized on Dec 2.

Be well,

KAthy G

October 28 Meeting at Grace's

"I meant what I said and I said what I meant....  an elephant's faithful -- one hundred percent!"  This was the beginning of a delightful read of "Water for Elephants." Everyone agreed that they liked the book and gave it a rating of 3 out of 5.  It covered a variety of topics including treatment in nursing homes, growing old, life in the circus, family taking care of their own - "Take a chance a piece" (I'm not sure I got that phrase right), running away, dealing with abuse, love, sex and insanity; I think it covered just about everything.  I especially like the excerpt Roe read about growing old and seeing the "Appalachian apple doll" in the mirror and it made me smile when at 90 something, he ran away to join the circus.  One of those things everyone says and very few do because the circus is actually kinda creepy.

After our book discussion we listed all the books that will be read this year.  We did agree that next time we will announce books up to 2 months prior to our hosting the bookclub rather than having a list set up at the beginning of the year.

Welcome to Pat Fogel our old / new member.

Louisa handed out yummy smelling bookmarks. It was a nice change after discussing nursing homes and getting old.  I feel like a little kid again.

I will email everyone an address and phone list of all the members.  Please let me know If there are any corrections. I won't post it on the blog site for security reasons.

Both Grace and I contacted the library and ask them to set aside our book selections for the month.  Please contact Bernadette Whalen at the Martinsburg Public Library one month before you host the meeting. You can email her at bwhalen@martin.lib.wv.us.  Check the the library web site first to see how many books are available at  http://www.youseemore.com/MartinsburgBerkeley.

Please send me your top 2 choices for the books we read last year.  Summary of Books Read 2009 - 2010 is listed under Books Read in this blog. I will announce the results at the November meeting.

Next month we will read "Stiff - the Curious Lives of Human Cadavers" by Mary Roach and meet at my house on November 18.  Don't be too creeped out by the title.

Happy Halloween
KAthy G

September 16 Meeting at Sharon's

Tonight we conclude our 2nd year of "Good Time Girls Book Club". We're read quite an assortment of books over these past two years and I look forward to reading some more.
Sharon greeted all her soggy guests with wine and cheer because it finally rained. Praise Allah!  After the usual catching up of events over the past month, we were treated to baked chicken, zucchini & rice, salad and Chapati bread.

Now we come to the main purpose of our meeting - to discuss the book we read (right girls??) --"Three Cups of Tea" about Greg Mortenson. He’s an incredibly likable guy, with a passion to fulfill his promise to build schools for Pakistan girls. All agreed he's a driven individual who's sacrificed family, health and personal gain but I had to admit I didn't like the book. I thought the author had too many jabs against Americans, he thought that Mortenson could single-handedly solve the problems for these people and "everyone wasn't doing their fare share" and it just made me mad, but I'm not sorry I read this book.

OK, now to the business part of our meeting. Grace passed around a sign up sheet to host next year's book-club meetings. Next meeting all members need to present their book titles. We decided not to change any of the rules, however, if we do not like the length of a book we will conduct a "bitch session" at that meeting. A list of all members current information will be passed out at the next meeting.  Grace will contact the library to try to hold books for our meetings.
Sorry to say, Gayle decide to opt out of our bookclub to pursue her singing career. We will miss her. She always read the books and then some! Edna will ask Nora Porterfield to take Gayle's place.

Our next meeting will be at Grace's house on Oct 28 and we will read "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen.

Good night Gracie,
KAthy G

August 26 Meeting at Linda's

Well fiddle dee dee, Here we are at "Terror".

After nimbling cheese and crackers and dipping Jumbo Shrimp, Harlot and Rat Marrissa, the French side of Scarlett's family, presented a Southern repast of "Poke" chop, "sweeeet" potato with pecans, wonderful mashed potato and green beans cooked with country ham.

We all sauntered on the the veranda with our meals complete with several bottles of wine. After all were quite full, Linda commenced the discussion of Scarlett. Pam thought she was a terrible mother who neglected her children. Linda defended her as being a Southern woman who did what she thought was in their "best interest". Scarlett was said to be childish, selfish, naive but a good business woman. Those who read "Gone with the Wind" agreed that it was by far a better book but Alexandra Ripley did a decent job of continuing the saga of "Scarlett".

Sharon then introduced her book -- "Three Cups of Tea" by Greg Mortenson to be read for the next meeting on September 16.

Please think about when you want to host bookclub next year and your suggested book.

Rekon, we'll see y'all next month.

KAthy G

July 15 Meeting at Louisa's

After our picnic of crab dip, Cobb salad and fruit cup, Louisa told us how the book "Twilight" was born. Stephenie Meyer had a very vivid dream about two people having an intense conversation in a meadow in the woods, one was your average girl and the other a fantastically beautiful, sparkly vampire and they were falling in love. You read the book so you know how it all turns out, or do you. You'll need to read the entire series to find out!

Louisa asked us several questions which elicit responses from everyone. We discussed how Meyer’s vampires had traits different than those of Hollywood and no one was particularly interested in living forever. Most liked the book. I though it was a great book for teenagers, it was a simple read which encouraged book reading and it also introduced abstinence in a different light.
 
“Twilight, again. Another ending. No matter how perfect the day is, it always has to end.“(Edward) and thus our meeting concluded. 

Next month we will meet at Linda’s house sans her porches.(you had to be there) We will read "Scarlett: the Sequel to Gone with the Wind" by Alexandra Ripley and meet on the Fourth Thursday - August 26. We will also need to set up a new schedule for next year, so think about what month you want to host and what book you would like to introduce.

Don’t forget Berkeley Bells will be performing at War Memorial Park on August 19 at 7:00.

Click here for more info on the headless chicken. 

Ok girls, pleasant dreams and I hope someone has a good one that turns into a best seller.

KAthy G

June 17 Meeting at Pam's

Well tonight we really got into the book - "The Help" by Katherine Stockett. First we had our dinner which was wonderful. Pam set out brie, apples and dips and crackers, chips, then chicken salad and very good cheese bread and wine.

Edna announced that she signed us up (the Good Time Girls Book Club) to create an "artist pallet" for next years Wine and Arts Festival. Any ideas and suggestions are appreciated.

After dinner we started our discussion about the book - The Help. Pam asked several very pertinent questions and we did our best to answer. First, who had a black maid? Linda who lived down south enlightened us with what it was like living in the South before, during and after the Civil Rights Movement. Roe told us what it was like to be a minority in her New Jersey School. Ellen elaborated on how things were in West Virginia and just about everyone had a story to tell. Alice equated parts of the book to “To Kill a Mocking Bird”. Edna said her daddy had a black maid who help raised him. I recalled events in my life when black people were coming into our school and how it affected us. This was a most interesting book to review since we all lived through this era. It really hit home.

As Linda mentioned, here is the web site for Katie Couric's interview with Katherine Stockett and two book clubs. It's long, about an hour.
Click HERE


After the discussion we had Ellen’s birthday cake with ice cream and fruit. Several books were shared.

Next meeting will be at Louisa’s house and we will read “Twilight” by Stephenie Meyer.
Have a wonderful summer and see y'all in a month.
KAthy G

May 20 Meeting at Gayle's

Tonight we assembled at Gayle's house once again to discuss our book, but unlike those in "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" we were free to assemble and not under any threat.  We are very lucky.
Gayle set up a "lovely" tray of cucumber sandwiches among other English treats.  She made two versions of Potato Peel Pie complete with potato peels.  It was all very good so I'm sure it did not compare to what those on Guernsey had to eat during the war. For dessert we had lemon bars and English Short Bread from a shop in NYC -  all very lovely.
After dinner, Gayle asked several pertinent questions relating to the book and a varied discussion commenced.  Of course topics strayed to illegal aliens, empty nest syndrome and then back to the book to discuss the characters and what is was like during the war to send children away to strangers to protect them.  All liked the book and the epistolary style with the exception of Grace who just couldn't get into it.  And that is what is great about our group, we are not "sheeple".

Next month we will assemble at Pam's House after reading "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett.
Bon Voyage to Ellen who is going on a cruise.

See you all in a month if not sooner,

KAthy G
Please read the Biography of Mary Ann Shaffer born in Martinsburg, WV in Comments above.    (Thanks Sharon)

April 15 Meeting at Ellen's

Once again our assorted group comes together to partake in a wonderful meal and discuss another novel.  Ellen serves corn chip and dip, salad, hot dogs and Mexicans which leads to the discussion of indigenous foods.   Some of the members are unaware that "Mexican" (ground beef and ketchup on a bun - no hot dog) are particular to this area. During dinner the song "Daniel" by Elton John was brought to mind.  I couldn't for the life of me get that tune until I got home and searched for it on Google (of course) 
Click here to  listen

After dinner, Ellen asked us several questions to start the discussion on "Shadow of  the Wind".  This book was recommended to her by a family member.  Most if not all liked the book.  I enjoyed the author’s writing style but didn't like the ending and thought it was too Disney-like "happily ever after".  The book had its cast of interesting characters and I liked the parallel life between Julián and Daniel.   Even though this book is mainly a mystery novel, the narration is somewhat different from other murder mysteries I have read.  Edna brought up the many great quotes by Fermin, who was Daniel's great and resourceful sidekick.
Some quotes from the book not necessarily Fermin:

• Presents are made for the pleasure of who gives them, not for the merits of who receives them.
• We exist as long as somebody remembers us.
• Books are mirrors: you only see in them what you already have inside you.
• Few things leave a deeper mark on a reader than the first book that finds its way into his heart  

All in all it was a very enjoyable book and discussion.  We managed to stay on target discussing the book and also did cover a number and variety of topics.  What get discussed at book club , stays at book club!

Next month,  Gayle has selected "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer. We will meet at her house on May 20th at 6:00.

Enjoy this wonderful weather and see you all in a month.

KAthy G

March 18 Meeting at Alice's

We arrive at Alice's home with the aroma of Irish Stew in the air.  How yummy.  It seems like a really long time since we last met and it takes us a good long while to catch up on what has been going on over the past month.  After about an hour long intercourse (ha ha I got your attention), we begin our dinner of good hardy Irish Stew, salad and Irish bread, since yesterday was St Patty's Day.  After dinner Alice reports on her book "Reading Lolita in Tehran" by Azar Nafisi which her son Sean recommended.  Alice explain why she loves this book and why she is totally fascinated with Dr. Nafisi and her students.  Topics discussed included Iranian culture, woman's rights, scholarship and American culture.  We find we are a bit like the characters in Dr. Nafisi's bookclub discussing books but also exposing a bit of ourselves and our lives to the group. The group is divided by those who liked the book and those who didn't but all agree that the reason we are here is to be introduced to books and ideas we wouldn't normally pick ourselves.
 
Next month, April 15th, we will meet at Ellen's house to discuss a mystery.  The first mystery is what is the name of the book we will read.  Well, I'll tell you, it's "Shadow of The Wind" by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.

Happy Spring, have a wonderful Easter and let's go Mountaineers!!!

KAthy G

February 18 Meeting at Rosa's

Buona sera e benvenuti al nostro corso serale.

After traversing luge style though the mountains of snow that is the current terrain in Berkeley County, we all arrived at Rosa's casa for an Italian feast.  She served appetizers, wonderful cheese ball, salad, baked ziti with "gravy", Italian bread with herbal olive oil and wine.  This was all in keeping with this month's book selection "Evening Classes" by Maeve Binchey.  Once again a lively discussion commenced after Rosa tested us with several Italian phrases from the book. As a group, we all passed with flying colors.  There were many characters, which is Binchey's style and all were intertwined which made for an interesting read.  In the end all agreed that Signora who had a knack for transforming the lives of everyone she meets was by far the primo character.  Louisa and Edna, however, didn't agree with Signora's choice to spend 25 years "sewing in her window".  We ended our meeting with an array of desserts including biscotti, panettone, carrot cake, cream puffs and Irish decorated cupcakes.....now where did that come from, oh yeah “Evening Classes” did take place in Ireland.

Alice introduced her book "Reading Lolita in Tehran" by Azar Nafisi for next month's book club meeting on March 18.  Let Alice know if you will or will not be attending the meeting.

A reminder, if you have any books you would like to share, please bring them to our meetings. If you have suggestions for books, please email me or "Comment" on this bog and I will start a list of Recommended Books.

Pick up a few books, looks like this is going to be one very white winter.

Stay warm and see you on March 18th if not sooner,

Kathy G

JANUARY 21 Meeting at Edna's

¡Dios mío!, where do I start.  Edna really out did herself.  She had a NY chef (her daughter Angelique) prepare a wonderful Spanish dinner, starting with several Tapas (Spanish appetizers), Sangria and Paella. After dinner Edna quizzed us on the book "The Alchemist" by  Paulo Coelho. "The world's greatest lie: At a certain point in our lives we lose control of what's happening to us and our lives become controlled by fate"  was debated with a split decision.  We also discussed traveling to learn more about other cultures, how religions have a central theme and following one's dream. To round out the Spanish theme,  Angel served us a wonderful dessert of Churros with chocolate dipping sauce. We also had Turtles, oatmeal cookies and baklava brought by several of the bookclub members.
"The Alchemist" was a short simple book about  following ones dream and then finding it in "our own backyard". The book with it's simplicity evoked a wealth of discussion and if it wasn't for the ice storm we could have kept going.

When time allows, I will set up a page to summarize each book that we read.
I have the results from last year's  "top 2":
 #1 "The Glass Castle"
 #2 "Queen of the Big Time".

Next month we will meet at Rosemary's house and read  “Evening Class” by Maeve Binchey.  Stay warm and enjoy the book.

"Adiós a mis amigos "
KAthy G