Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
All gone!
November 21 Meeting at Grace's
Today Thursday, November 21, 1 pm we met to celebrate our 16th anniversary. We missed Edna, Pam, Pat and Linda & Louisa.
The book this month was an easy read "The Seaside House" by Sophie Kenna and the first of an 7 part series, which I did not know.
It takes place on an island Marina Cove, in Massachusetts. Charlotte, who is the main character, leaves this beautiful island, abandons her family after experiencing life changing experiences and leaves for NY where she meets her husband Sebastian, has three beautiful children and is living the life of the elite. Not everything is as it seems. Her life is shattered after a chance discovery rips her world in two. Charlotte returns to Marina Cove to find her family on the brink of destruction. Charlotte's return is not at all what she expected. She does reconcile with her sister and mother and comes face to face with the boy she used to love.The past she was running from starts to catch up with her.
If you want more info get in touch with Carol, she is on a roll. I believe she is on the fifth book.
Wishing everyone a very a Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels
Grace
October 17 Meeting at Carol's
Our October 17 bookclub meeting was held at my house in order to enjoy the Halloween decorations and spirit. Most were attired in Halloween clothes with Kathy and Edna coming in costume.
The food was delicious as it was prepared by Dusty and not me. Veggie pizza, meatballs and pepperoni rolls, Fruit and way too many desserts rounded out our lunch. A lively discussion was held about the different choices of who we thought might be the guilty party in the story. I had to apologize profusely about how the author left you hanging at the end of the book. I had never read her books before, so was unprepared for the ending. Everyone seemed to enjoy the story and Linda decided to pick the sequel for her book in January. Hopefully we will find out the ending and not be left hanging again.
Carol - "The Forest of Silence" by Kate Gable
September 19 Meeting at Sharon's
Our book club met on September 19 at Sharon’s for lunch and a discussion of the book for the month, “The Happiest Man on Earth” by Eddie Jaku. The book is the true story of the author’s survival of a harsh life in several German concentration camps during WW II. Because he had engineering skills the Nazis needed, his life was spared. His father, mother and extended family perished during the holocaust. The theme of the book was to have hope. Eddie learned that “happiness comes from inside yourself and from the people you love.” He felt that it is never too late to be a kind, polite and loving human being.
We were all both horrified and moved by his story. We were pleased to learn that after the war he was able to live a full, happy life in Australia. He died at the age of 101 in 2021.
Carol will host next month's book discussion and has chosen a light mystery as a break from war stories.
We missed having Rennie, Dricka and Louisa with us.
Sharon
August 15 Meeting at Rosemary's
On Thursday, August 15th we met for lunch and our bookclub gathering at Rosemary's house. The book was "Eternal" by Lisa Scottoline. It is an historical novel set in the iconic city of Rome, Italy beginning in the time period of the mid 1930s.
With the rise of Fascism in Italy, and the Nazis invasion of Rome, the three main characters, Elisabetta, Marco, and Sandro share their experiences with love, betrayal, loss of family, friends and possessions.
Everyone present seemed to enjoy the book and we had a good discussion about the horrible, inhuman events and unjustified murder of millions of innocent children and people that occurred during this period. A very horrible time in history, one we hope will never be repeated!!!
On a more upbeat note, we enjoyed the company of our Young English visitors, Margo and Tate, Edna's grandchildren. They enjoyed the Italian cuisine and were so delightful and seemed to have a good time.
We missed Carol, Kathy, Drika, Louisa, Pat and Pam. Hope all are well, see you next month for bookclub at Sharon's.
Roe
July 18 Meeting at Rennie's
The Good Times Girls Book Club met at my home 7/18 for my first Book club gathering. Thankfully the heat wave broke and we were able to eat outside. Lunch had a Mexican flare to it. We got right to eating and catching up with each other. We ran out of time to float in the pool. (Thank you, Pam, for swapping months with me so we could have a swim).
I chose the novel “The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store” written by James Mc Bride. This is a story of a community (Chicken Hill) of Jewish, Black, and European immigrant families centered around the Jewish owned grocery store in Pottstown Pa in the 20s and 30s. The story is full of big personalities dealing with love, death, murder kidnapping and just living together. I would recommend it. Steven Spielberg is adapting the novel to the screen which he will produce someday.
I want to thank you all for the opportunity to be a part of this lovely group of friends. I am really grateful for your friendship .
Sincerely,
Rennie
June 13 Meeting at WMP hosted by Edna
The first thing I need to do is apologize for the late Book club entry. I thought I did it before I left for England but you know what that’s like. The thought and the deed are two different things!! Haha
Anyway, if I can remember that far back; I will try to give a fairly accurate description of the meeting. There were 7 of us that made it and we missed the rest of you that were unable to be there. We met for eats at 5:00pm., at the pavilion on the hill. I did a picnic with the fried chicken, pasta salad, baked beans, etc. Then we had shortcake with fruit and English custard. Also chips, dips, & cheeses.
We discussed the book, , “A Bridge Across the Ocean”, which was liked by everyone. Again, a discussion followed about Spirits and the afterlife with mixed feelings among us. The July book & meeting time was set.
Then we were joined by some friends who ate & sat with us and enjoyed the music that started at 7:00pm. As usual, it was a very enjoyable social time. I am looking forward to the next Book club that I can be at which will probably be in September!! Thanks for your patience and understanding! God bless all!! Edna
April 18 - 21 Meeting in Fenwick Island, TY Pat!
Lots of good discussion around the dining room table while we enjoyed Grace's lasagna. Ice cream of many flavors was great fun for dessert.
It was a special few days at Pelican (Pat's beach house), with much sharing, laughter, good eats, and games!!! I wish we all could have been there together.
Pat
March 7 Meeting at Alice's
'Twas a grand gathering of the Reading ladies to the peach brick house on Lina Lane for the annual wearin' of the green (all of us) plus shamrock & rainbow topped cupcakes (thank you Rennie) and other treats!
The book I chose, SOMEBODY'S DAUGHTER, by Ashley
C. Ford, was a memoir of her childhood with her dad being in prison and
her mother, a single mom with 2 then 4 children to raise. Her family is
poor, the relationship with her mother is testy, seemingly
harsh,(Ashley is the oldest child) and as she grows into adolescence,
then to a teen and beyond, it only gets more challenging. Ashley is a
survivor; her mother's strong example along with her grandmother's
steady presence & balance, penetrate her character.
Thanks to all who
joined me and missed those not able to attend. Also, again, to Rennie
for sharing her heartbreaking family story with her dad similar to
Ashley's. That was personal and I appreciated her loving candor. It made
another connection to this book, I was touched. We all were. Photos,
too. Brilliant!
See you next year, Erin Go Braugh.
SLAINTE' always to all.
Alice
February 15 Meeting at Sylvia's
GTG Book Club met at Sylvia’s on February 15. BBQ chicken sliders and Mediterranean pasta salad were served for lunch, and a plethora of desserts were enjoyed. Thank you to Pat, Roe and Kathy for your contributions!
Discussion followed about February’s selection, “The Starfish Sisters” by Barbara O’Neal. The story is about the 40-plus years of friendship of Phoebe and Suze from adolescence to adulthood. The tale shifts back and forth between two timelines…current events and long past events that formed their friendship. Phoebe and Suze were as close as sisters when they were young. When Suze returns to their coastal Oregon town to live, the two are forced to face the secrets from the past that strained their bond. “The Starfish Sisters” is a story of friendship between two women, their heartaches, disagreements, betrayals, secrets…and how they forgive and move on.
We missed Louisa, Grace, and Sharon.
Sylvia
.jpg)
.jpg)
January 18 Meeting at Kathy's
We met at my house still decorated for Christmas. It’s been snowing so it still feels Christmas-y to me. Ham broccoli cheese soup seemed to be appropriate since there is a chill in the air.
After lunch I pose the question “would you open up the box”, the box referring to the item in our book “The Measure” by Nikki Erlick. One day when you open your front door, waiting for you is a small wooden box. This box holds your fate inside: the answer to the exact number of years you will live. I wouldn't want to know and neither did anyone else. All seemed to enjoy the book which was filled with interesting characters whose lives were changed by this dilemma of deciding to know your life line or not. This knowledge changed the way people conducted their lives. It also changed the way people treated each other depending if you were a short stringer or long stringer. It divided the population based on that fact . It was reminiscent of the Covid years dividing people between vaxers and non-vaxers and putting pressure on those who didn’t go along with what the government deemed in our best interest. In the end, it seemed people learned that not knowing your death date was the way most people wanted to live their lives. A thought provoking book, tense but interesting. Glad everyone liked the book recommended by a friend.
We had a brief discussion of Grace’s book “Too Close to the Falls” by Kathryn Gilner. This was Kathryn’s childhood memoir which was reminiscent of my Catholic school instruction by the nuns. Strict and some crazy stuff, but I’m sure I’m a better person for it. An assortment of desserts brought by several people was enjoyed during our book discussions.
We missed you, Pat, Louisa, Pam and Roe. Edna handed out Christmas gifts brought back from England and Canary island. Thank you, Edna.
Next month on Feb 15, we meet at Sylvia’s and will read "The Starfish Sisters" by Barbara O'Neal.
Kathy
November 16 Meeting Cancelled
Grace's dear friend, traveling buddy and "sister" Vickie passed away on Wednesday, November 8, 2023.
October 19 Meeting hosted by Carol
Our October book club was held at my home in true Halloween mode. Themed clothing instead of costume was the dress. We started the evening with food as usual. My lovely daughter-in-law, Dusty, prepared and served us with help from Courtney, my granddaughter. We enjoyed homemade chicken pot pie, fresh salad with garlic vinaigrette dressing, cucumber sandwiches, cheese and crackers, grapes, apple slices, and chocolate covered almonds. Dessert included Apple crisp, seasonal cookies, pumpkin and zucchini breads and chocolate candies. Now for the book discussion! The book was "Bucket List" by Rachel Hanna. Most people liked the book and enjoyed how she was pushed by the death of her friend to try new things. Most found it funny with all the things she tried, but some things were a little far fetched, especially the romance. I think most of us agreed we would be willing to try these things if it meant we would inherit a beach house.
Carol
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
