OK It's Feb and it's winter and it's 70° today, so I just had to wear my flip-flops to bookclub tonight at Roe's house.
Rosemary greeted us at the door and the festivities began. Our socialization continued into dinner which was wonderful. I never should have stopped describing our dinners because they are probably the best part of our "bookclub". There I said it. After catching up on the activites over the past month Roe gets us back to the reason we are here - to discuss the book "The Mermaid Chair". Everyone nodded that they liked the book and the discussion commenced. I thought the affair with Brother Thomas a bit fanciful and most agreed, but as Pam mentioned, it made for interesting reading. The book invoked descussion into marriage, affairs, family and mother daughter realtionship. It ended with a relistic premise that Jessie and Hugh will try to go forward with their marriage. The meeting ended with dessert and conversation.
Alice handed out copies of "A Short Guide to a Happy Life" by Anna Quindlen for next month's bookclub meeting. We will meet at her house on "St Patty's Day" -- March 17.
Enjoy this wonderful weather while it last and see you all in a month if not sooner.
Please note the changes in the Reading List, ie Sharon and Ellen swapped months.
KAthy G
January 20 Meeting at Edna's
Happy New Year !!!!
This is the second year we are threatened with a snow storm while heading out to Edna's. But it IS winter and we are prepared. Ellen brought the tank and we can also hunker down at Edna's should we get snowed in. Glenny's going to love that one.
After a wonderful meal, Edna asks if all liked the book and starts us out with question 1 on page 4 - the count down to Eddie's "final minutes left on earth". It's a little book but we are really going to dissect this book. We discuss the five people Eddie meet and why. Pam suggests that this book is similar to "It's a Wonderful Life" in that Eddie doesn't think his life is important until he is shown how his life effects others. The book bring out instances in our lives and the lives of others that are important. Roe shares with us the story of her uncle who was a prison of war in WWII. We had a lot of discussion with the statement "all parents damage their children. It cannot be helped." I think the word damage, a little too strong . All in all we have a very informative discussion and are glad to be a part of this dinner, I mean bookclub. A surprise birthday cake is brought out for me and then the "pièce de résistance" -- Edna's beautiful candy apples are presented.
Next month we will meet at Rosemary's home and read "The Mermaid Chair" by Sue Monk Kidd.
As a reminder, all the books for this year are posted in the blog.
We missed ya, Linda, Pat and Louisa.
See ya next month and happy reading.
KAthy G
This is the second year we are threatened with a snow storm while heading out to Edna's. But it IS winter and we are prepared. Ellen brought the tank and we can also hunker down at Edna's should we get snowed in. Glenny's going to love that one.
After a wonderful meal, Edna asks if all liked the book and starts us out with question 1 on page 4 - the count down to Eddie's "final minutes left on earth". It's a little book but we are really going to dissect this book. We discuss the five people Eddie meet and why. Pam suggests that this book is similar to "It's a Wonderful Life" in that Eddie doesn't think his life is important until he is shown how his life effects others. The book bring out instances in our lives and the lives of others that are important. Roe shares with us the story of her uncle who was a prison of war in WWII. We had a lot of discussion with the statement "all parents damage their children. It cannot be helped." I think the word damage, a little too strong . All in all we have a very informative discussion and are glad to be a part of this dinner, I mean bookclub. A surprise birthday cake is brought out for me and then the "pièce de résistance" -- Edna's beautiful candy apples are presented.
Next month we will meet at Rosemary's home and read "The Mermaid Chair" by Sue Monk Kidd.
As a reminder, all the books for this year are posted in the blog.
We missed ya, Linda, Pat and Louisa.
See ya next month and happy reading.
KAthy G
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
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
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
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
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
