April 16 Meeting at Kathy's

We met at my house for lunch to discuss the book "James" by Percival Everet. The novel won the 2024 Kirkus Prize, the National Book Award for Fiction, and the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.

The first half of the book I really enjoyed and I felt that the idea of presenting the narrative from the perspective of Jim was unique. However the author reimagines Mark Twain's Jim-- a character who is treated as benign and a bit simple-minded --as a secret intellectual who can not only read, but is well-versed in Voltaire. In this version, the way Black slaves behave and speak is not their true selves but a performance for slave owners. I thought this was a bit much.  Also I didn't understand why this book was Pulitzer quality because I was not impressed with the writing and did not care for the the twist at the end that James was Huck Finns dad.

One of the most beautiful aspects of Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn is that Huck and Jim were able to have a true, genuine friendship, and this allowed Huck to see the hypocrisy and immorality of the society in which he lived, and to realize that there are values, including friendship, which can transcend those of the society in which we live.  Some agreed with me and others did not.
We had a special guest, Dricka dropped in.  It was sure great getting to see her again.  Hail Hail the gangs all here  OR at least most, missing Edna, Sharon and Alice.

Next meeting is May 21 at Pat's and we will read "The Correspondent" by Virginia Evan.

💜 Kathy G

March 19 Meeting at Alice's

 Camino Island by John Grisham

It’s thanks to Molly the helpful and smart librarian at North Berkeley (she was just doing her job) for suggesting and calling in seven copies of Camino Island+ gratitude also to Sylvia who filled me in & gave me the scoop on how to get the books for all of us to share and pass around.

Camino Island was a novel based on the author’s own experience in the beach community of Amelia Island, Florida, where he has a vacation home. So the setting was great for all of us sitting in winter weather here in West Virginia. A beach read for us in the winter. Mr Grisham  heard a story about rare books so he combined these 2 ideas to write CAMINO ISLAND. I have also read CAMINO WINDS & CAMONO GHOSTS also excellent!

I felt also that John Grisham was promoting the selling and use of reading a real book ( yes I see all of you with your I-pads & Paper Whites e readers) He created a space w/ main character Bruce Cable’s Bay Books bookstore,  giving authors a place to sell books & be themselves. Constantly talking about books! the beautiful young Mercer Mann, a woman who infiltrated the possibility into the stolen priceless F Scott Fitzgerald manuscripts was certainly a way to keep us reading. Hmmmm, are they in the basement of this bookstore or back in NJ ?!

Overall review: This real honest to God book in my hands was a fine choice for not knowing a thing about this story and then being pretty damn good. 

Thanks ladies again it’s always great to host you all- now in 2026 for an Irish party and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day -seeing all of you fine ladies wearing green sitting around my table, it brings a sentimental tear to my fine eye! It is always fun chatting and hanging out together and you know we just have to keep it up. Slainte!

Love y’all
Alice.

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February 19 Meeting at Sylvia's

 GTG Book Club met at Sylvia’s on February 19.  Lunch was a picnic theme with a sundae bar for desert.  

Discussion followed about February’s book “The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post” by Allison Pataki. The book is historical fiction about the life of Marjorie Merriweather Post, heiress of Post Cereal and entrepreneur of General Foods.  Her story begins in Battle Creek, Michigan, and takes us through her rise to wealth, four marriages, hosting presidents, rescuing Russian treasurers, and her philanthropy and extensive charitable works…earning Marjorie the nickname “Lady Bountiful”.

There is significant interest by members to tour Ms. Post’s Washington, DC, home Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens. Stay tuned for a follow-up!

Sylvia

January 15 Meeting at Linda's

 The book club met Thursday at Linda’s house with 6 members present. After a lunch, the 5th book of the Alexis Forrest FBI series,  "Forest of Obsessions" by Kate Gable was discussed. While we were happy to have some closure to the mystery, we feel we’re ready to stop the series. Members can finish the series on their own if  they  so desire.  Many desserts were brought by the members and enjoyed by all along with lots of laughter. We missed those who were unable to attend.

Linda

November 20 Meeting at Grace's with Kathy

 We are going on to our 17th year,.  We met at Grace’s home and read  Kathy’s book pick of "The Secret Life Of Sunflowers" by Marta Molnar, Dana Marton. 

As always there was an abundance of food and I can’t remember all the details as it’s been a rough year. I made soup and Grace made sandwiches.  Others brought deserts.  Grace led the discussion and we covered a lot of territory.

I picked this book because it was about a real person and included Vincent Van Gogh which fascinated me.   "The Secret Life of Sunflowers" is the true story of Johanna Bonger who was the sister-in- law to Vincent Van Gogh. A story about a strong woman who became the catalyst in getting Vincent discovered by the world after his death.  I think everyone really enjoyed the book.  

I was inspired by all the saying throughout the book, namely:

"Refusals will not kill me. Ridicule will not kill me. My feelings might be hurt... but I will not die. I will keep trying. I will live in gratitude, my face pointed toward the light".

"Sunflowers are adaptable... The worse the soil, the bigger they flower. They're scrappy as hell". 

“I imagine happiness like needlepoint. Dots of color, precious moments placed next to each other as time passes, small joys doled out over a lifetime.”

“The meaning of life is to live it.”

“All are made exceptional by necessity,”

“Decisions made in haste are repented at leisure.”

“You succeed by not failing.”

And I really like this one:

“If you hear a voice within say you cannot do something, then by all means, do that thing, and that voice will be silenced.”  

(A quote from Theodore Roosevelt that inspired the author to write the book). "Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can" 

Next meeting is January 15 at  Linda’s and we will read "Forest of Obsessions" by Kate Gable. 

Kathy G

October 16 Meeting at Carol's

 The October book club meeting was held at the spooky residence of Carol Mason.  10 members were present and 2 showed up in costume. Thanks scarecrow Kathy and witch Edna for your entertainment. I am sorry to report no delicious goodies were prepared by Dusty this year. Everyone was subjected to store bought cheese, meats and crackers, wraps, coleslaw, broccoli salad, veggie tray, fruit and cookies. Sylvia brought a delicious Apple cake and Roe brought peanut butter chews (which I tried to hide).  We did discuss the book, "Forest of Lies", which is the 4th book in this series by Kate Gable.  The frustration is high that the killer is still not caught and Alexis is not able to see she is being followed and taunted. It is upsetting to read about young children being killed and not always by the killer she is seeking. Only 3 more books in the series.  I am rereading 5 and 6 as the (hopefully) final book was just released this week. Stay tuned for updates.

Carol