¡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
NOVEMBER 19 Meeting at Kathy's
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
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
