Good Time Girls Book Club: 2022

November 17 Meeting at Grace's

We met on November 17, 2022, at my house to reorganize our book club. Hard to believe we are starting our 15th year. I want to thank all of our members for their continued dedication and participation.

Dricka will be leaving the book club since she is moving back to NJ in December. However, she still wants us to share our books with her each month.

My daughter Sally & daughter in law Candida helped prepare the dinner and made us special signature cocktails with Prosecco, cranberry ginger ale and fresh cranberries. We had pecan pie, cookies and Affogato’s for dessert.

We will be meeting on Monday, December 12, 12:30 at Kings Restaurant in Inwood for our Christmas outing this year. Edna was calling for a reservation.

The Book we read this month “The Truth of The Matter was written by Leigh Fleming a local author. Leigh joined us for dinner at our meeting. I believe everyone enjoyed the book. It was a quick read. What I liked and others agreed it was not too wordy and not too many characters. Leigh did tell us she did family research and the characters in this book were similar or followed her family’s history. Some found it hard to believe that the father could make such a dramatic change towards his daughter and life after having a visit with his mother. Leigh stated she likes her books to end on a happy note. I like that too.

Hope everyone had a very Happy Thanksgiving. And wishing everyone the Merriest Christmas ever. Safe travels throughout the holidays.

LOVE TO ALL, Grace

SEE YOU ALL IN THE NEW YEAR.♥️

"The Truth of the Matter" by Leigh Fleming

October 27 Meeting at Carol's

The October meeting was held at my house on Thursday, October 27th. We had our usual Halloween costume meeting with a variety of characters in attendance. The food was delicious as I bought everything instead of cooking (go figure). The book was the sequel to “The Bean Tree” which we read in September. It was nice to follow Taylor and Turtle’s life through to a conclusion. I think most people liked the book even if it did end a little too abruptly with everything tied into a nice bow. It wasn’t quite believable in how everything came together so quickly. A Halloween goody bag was provided to all.
Carol

book - "Pigs in Heaven" by Barbara Kingsolver

September 29 Meeting at Sharon's and hosted by Dricka

"The Bean Tree" by Barbara Kingsolver is the story of a native of Kentucky, Marietta Greer who grew up poor and started out crossing two states making a new life for herself. She settles in Arizona where she meets Mattie owner of a used tire shop, where she finds a job. Along the way a child was thrown at her to take care of. She also meets Guatemalan illegal refuges Estevan and wife, Esperanza. Needing a place to live with child, Turtle, she makes a home with Lou Ann and her child who were abandoned by her husband, Angel.

The story goes on how she decides to legally adopt Turtle with the help of her friends. Marietta, who changes her name to Taylor, thru out the story finds herself along with her friends taking care of each other.

Like the wisteria tree with its bean pods needs the help of the bugs near its roots to bloom, we humans with the help of others we meet along life’s journey, we too have a beautiful, wonderful life. The end of the story is so apropos for how I feel as I move on further in life.

Thank you❤️ Dricka

We attended the presentation of 2022 Appalachian Heritage Writer's Award to Barbara Kingsolver at Shepherd University and her lecture "Challenges of the Global Village and the Ties that Bind".

August 11 Meeting at War Memorial Park hosted by Roe

Our book club met on Thursday evening, August 11 at War Memorial Park. Refreshments were served, baked ziti, mini sandwiches and various baked cookies. Our topic was the book "The Venice sketchbook" by Rhys Bowen. The book covers the historical, artistic virtues and cuisine of this charming city. The main characters of Juliet (Lettie) Browning and Caroline Grant start their respective journeys in 1928, through WW11 and taking us up to the 21st century with their individual stories of romance, Intrigue and secrets.

Most of us liked the book, the storyline and the setting of Venice. Some have had the opportunity to visit this charming and unique city with its many canals, gondolas and bridges. It is a fascinating place!

The evening was complete with an enjoyable performance by the group,"Cashmire”, who performed the last concert at WMP for the summer.

Next meeting will be 9/29 at,Sharon's with the book “Bean Trees” by Barbara Kingsolver.

Thanks, Roe

July 21 Meeting at Kathy's

Our second attempt to have book club at the park complete with musical entertainment failed once again. It way too blasted hot and humid. We assembled in my living room and Grace created a concoction of wine, fruit juice and ginger ale. Not bad. When the grilled hot dogs were finished , dinner was served.

There was a lively discussion about the upcoming Appalachian Heritage Write in Residence Project. If I got it right, we are having book club on September 29 at Sharon’s, Drika is hosting and selected Barbara Kingsolver’s first book “Bean Tree” and we will attend the 7:00pm AHWIR discussion with Barbara Kingsolver at Shepherd University.

We finally got around to discussing “The Giver of Stars” by Jojo Moyers a historical fiction about pack horse librarians in a remote area of Kentucky. Set in Depression-era America, it is the story of five extraordinary women and their journey through the mountains of Kentucky. After all their trials, and one actual trial, and tribulations, the woman lived happily ever after. It was a good book and everyone seemed to like it.

Dessert was served, which consisted of Drika’s banana cake, Sharon’s blond brownies and my Lemon cake.

Next meeting is again scheduled at WMP for a picnic and concert in the park. Hopefully the weather will cooperate. Rosemary is hosting and we will read "The Venice Sketchbook " by Rhys Bowen.

Until next time, take care have a wonderful summer and see ya in August. Missed Louisa, Pat and Rosemary.

Kathy G

June 16 Meeting at Carol's and hosted by Edna

Alas!! Our monthly Book club was held on Thursday, June 16th at 5:00 pm: not at War Memorial Park as planned; but at the home of Carol Mason; hosted by her loving sister, Edna (haha; knew you like that one, Carol)!! We were so disappointed that we were unable to have the picnic since the music was cancelled & the weather was definitely not co-operating.

However, in spite of that, we had a lovely turnout for my, in-house picnic, of ham & chicken salad sandwiches, potato salad, and cheese dip with veggies & chips. There were nine of us , which was a great group!! We missed Louisa, Roe & Pat!!

The book!! Ah yes, the book. We read "The Thursday Murder Club" by Richard Osman, who, by the way, is a very famous British celebrity of TV, reality shows, etc. However, his first love is writing; thus the book. But I digress.

I picked this book because it reminded me of our Book club; not that we are into solving murders (though I think we could be very successful at it if we put our minds to it); but because we have such a nice diverse group of older ladies in ourselves. But I digress.

The Book was about a group of senior citizens living in a senior living community that decided they were going to solve cold case murders. The personalities that were described were priceless. I loved each of them for their eccentricities and their care of each other. I could see myself really enjoying being part of that group just like I love being part of the lives that I touch with our group. But I digress!!

For some reason, some of those in our Book club seemed to think that the Book was too verbose??!! Rambled on or something like that; which I find a bit strange because I have never met a more talkative group than our Book club?! Lol!! But I digress!!

Needless to say, once they got into the story, most all enjoyed the twists and turns and plots. There was one dissenting vote when Carol declared she would not read another book that had the priests & the nuns getting into extenuating circumstances anymore!! Sorry, Carol!! But I digress!

Anyway, the evening rounded out with several desserts, as per usual, and it was a lovely time in spite of all!!!

Looking forward to seeing everyone at Kathy's next (or the Park, weather permitting) on the 3rd Thursday in July!!

Lovingly & verbosely submitted by Edna

May 19 Meeting at Sharon's

The May 19, 2022, book club meeting, held at Sharon’s, was attended by 9 members – sorry to miss Rosemary, Louisa, and Pat. We began, of course, with food –pulled pork sandwiches, scalloped potatoes, and cole slaw and blondies, along with yummy additions from generous guests. The book, This is Happiness, by Niall Williams, was set in a fictional rural village in the west of Ireland in 1958 that is about to get electrical service for the first time. Those against accepting this life changing move ask, “Aren’t we happy as we are?” Views were mixed on the book. Several readers thought the author was too descriptive and used flowery language that dragged the story along. Edna felt that the lyrical style was typical of storytelling in Ireland and enjoyed the unhurried prose. Much like the characters in the book, everyone enjoyed just getting together and enjoying each other’s company.

Sharon

March 17 Meeting at Altona Farm

Why did I choose this book? This was a question asked by Kathy; my son gave it to me - then one generational step back from having this book in my hands and reading it, is the fact my father was a journalist, like Katie's dad. Carol mentioned in our discussion; "well, then you could relate to this story and identify with her experience." Yes. We did have a good discussion as Sylvia observed!

It was 99 chapters of every aspect of her life/career and details of breaking the glass ceiling for this woman in/on TV; not a best seller but full of facts, details and humor. And Photos. Since Katie was known by millions especially from the Today Show, she included dozens of images as a photo album to accompany her stories and memories of a busy and full life.

One take away from this book I am still using is (RISE UP SING AND DANCE WITH JOY = my mantra with a positive spin since I was reading this book right after the new year 2022) When her husband Jay was sick with cancer one of Katie's Today Show guests, a counselor, suggested she have a 7 syllable mantra to repeat over and over to calm herself: God, please heal thy servant Jay.

WE missed Louisa, Grace, Drika, Pat, Pam,and Roe although we had her cheese cake. LOL. My Mom Dorothy and I thank the ladies that came over to Altona Farm on St. Patrick's Day to hang out, eat, laugh (the limericks were the best!!) and enjoy a Guiness. ERIN go BRAUGH.

Once the journalist's daughter, I have remained that throughout my life: as the late great Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee said, "The search for truth changes your life." Yup that's it. It changed Katie Couric's and she was faithful to it (yes, the book was too long Pam ). Cheers from your correspondent in Charles Town,

Alice XO

February 17 Meeting at Sylvia's

The GTG Book Club met at Sylvia's on February 17. Corn chowder was served for dinner with slider sandwiches and salad. Lively discussion followed.

Our February book, "We Begin at the End" by Chris Whitaker, is about 13 year old Duchess and a 40 something police chief, Walk, who don't seem to have a lot in common. Duchess, a self-proclaimed outlaw, is unflinchingly protective of her 5 year old brother Robin and her mother Star, who is incapable of taking care of herself or her two children. Walk grew up with Star and Vincent, his best friend. Through the years, he strives to look after Star and in particular Duchess and Robin. The story begins when Walk's childhood friend Vincent returns after spending 30 years in prison, and how Walk and Duchess face the trouble that comes with his return. This is a story about two kinds of families---the one we are born into and the ones we create...a story of love, loyalty, revenge, forgiveness and finally hope.

We missed you, Edna, Grace, Louisa and Rosemary,

Sylvia