A very happy new years to everyone as we gather around Edna's table for a joyous reunion. It's been a very busy two months and it sounds like everyone had a wonderful holiday. Edna with the help of Glennie prepared a wonderful meal with recipes from Angelique, Myrtle Beach and of course a fish dish - in keeping with the title of the book.
Rosemary opened up discussion on changing the February Meeting to the 4th Thursday, February 23 since several people will be out of town the previous week. All agreed. Louisa announced that North Middle participated in WV Physical Activity Day by everyone in the school dancing the "Cupid Shuffle". This will be televised on the 11 o'clock news. Several sad news were announced and we tried to get back to discussing the book, which is sorta the reason we are here.
I decided to tape the meeting to help me write this blog. I think it gave me too much info but it was amusing reliving the evening. Amy Tan takes a good hard look on global economics, tourism, Burmese politics and Western influence on other cultures in this book "Saving Fish from Drowning". She has a way of creating fiction so that the reader perceives it as true. I actually Googled to see if tourist went missing after I read the first chapter. Ellen found Amy Tan to have a great imagination and Edna found it clever to tell the story through the ghost narrator Bibi. We thought the tourist were ignorant about the land they were entering and hardly prepared to go into such a hostile area. We had an active discussion about travel in remote areas outside the US with killings, kidnappings, bugs, unsanitary conditions and wild animals. Louisa and others commented that the book could have been shorter and Tan could have left out a lot of the details but then that is exactly what drew Edna to the book. I was surprised to find the tourist survive their ordeal, we were sure they were being lured into to jungle to meet their demise. All in all a good story.
As I said before we will meet next month at Rosemary's on February 23. She has chosen "Wildflower Hill" by Kimberley Freeman for us to read. Enjoy and stay warm.
'missed you Linda, Sharon and Pat.
Don't mess with the Nats,
KAthy G
November 15th Meeting at Pat's
Ruff ruff do I smell something good.....it's Pat's "just chicken" mmmmmmmm
We gather around the dinner table to begin our book club meeting. Grace reminds us about the upcoming Christmas luncheon at McFarland House on December 7 at 1:00 and makes a list of all who can attend.
I announce that I created a summary of the books we read last year. I would like everyone to email me the name of your two top choices from that list. Pam says she likes them all but I just want to see if there was a favorite.
It's now Pat's turn to question us on the book we read "The Art of Racing in the Rain" by Garth Stein. An interest story about life and death told from the view point of a dog using car racing as an analogy to life. Someone said, it makes you think just what "my dog" might be thinking and what do they really know. But me being ever the skeptic, it's just a story but a good one. Discussion alternated between personal experiences with dying, being alone and being lonely, Burzynski Clinic to treat cancer, Penn State scandal, and false accusations. Pat then introduced us to her "Solutions" catalog -- advertised as products that make life easier, it included the "remote control egg massager". Naturally, it all went down hill from there.
In January we will meet at Edna's house on the 19th and read "Saving Fish from Drowning" by Amy Tan. There are several books in the libraries around the area so you should not have any problems getting a copy.
Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and look forward to seeing you at the Mcfarland House and/or my Christmas Party on December 16.
We're thinking about you Ellen and you too Linda and Alice.
Enjoy your reading and remember to send me your 2 book choices from last year.
Goodnight,
KAthy G
We gather around the dinner table to begin our book club meeting. Grace reminds us about the upcoming Christmas luncheon at McFarland House on December 7 at 1:00 and makes a list of all who can attend.
I announce that I created a summary of the books we read last year. I would like everyone to email me the name of your two top choices from that list. Pam says she likes them all but I just want to see if there was a favorite.
It's now Pat's turn to question us on the book we read "The Art of Racing in the Rain" by Garth Stein. An interest story about life and death told from the view point of a dog using car racing as an analogy to life. Someone said, it makes you think just what "my dog" might be thinking and what do they really know. But me being ever the skeptic, it's just a story but a good one. Discussion alternated between personal experiences with dying, being alone and being lonely, Burzynski Clinic to treat cancer, Penn State scandal, and false accusations. Pat then introduced us to her "Solutions" catalog -- advertised as products that make life easier, it included the "remote control egg massager". Naturally, it all went down hill from there.
In January we will meet at Edna's house on the 19th and read "Saving Fish from Drowning" by Amy Tan. There are several books in the libraries around the area so you should not have any problems getting a copy.
Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and look forward to seeing you at the Mcfarland House and/or my Christmas Party on December 16.
We're thinking about you Ellen and you too Linda and Alice.
Enjoy your reading and remember to send me your 2 book choices from last year.
Goodnight,
KAthy G
October 20th Meeting at Grace's
It sure feels like fall. There is a chill in the air but there is plenty of warm wishes at Grace's house. She starts "Year Four "of our book club with a wonderful dinner of Chicken Cordon Bleu and Eggplant Parmesan. Now top that girls, the bar has been set!
After satisfying our hunger and checking up on the past months events we setting down to discuss Barbara Delinsky's "While my Sister Sleeps". Grace has requested that we bring a ? to discuss so Roe ask "why did you pick this book?" Good question and so the discussions begin. Since this book dealt with death, several people related rather sensitive times in their lives when they had to deal with this on a very personal level. Alice relates what she went through when Bruce passed away and Pam recounted tough decisions she had to make in regard to Jim's health care. Topics ranged from health care, Medicare, restrictive school lunches, to building a 4 million tunnel so that college students can cross the street, and everything in between.
To round out the night, dessert was served and we all sang happy birthday to Louisa and Grace who are celebrating their birthdays this month.
REMEMBER -- next month's meeting will be on TUESDAY November 15 at Pat's house and we will read "The Art of Racing in the Rain" by Garth Stein.
Please send me your book selection for this year.
I created a pdf file under Books Read of the books we read last year - Summary of Books Read 2010-2011
We missed you Pat and sure hope your mom is doing better.
'missed you Linda and hope you are having a great time on your cruise.
Keep reading and see ya in a month if not sooner,
BTW my hand is feeling better. Don't know if it's the soy sauce or the ice or both.
KAthy G
After satisfying our hunger and checking up on the past months events we setting down to discuss Barbara Delinsky's "While my Sister Sleeps". Grace has requested that we bring a ? to discuss so Roe ask "why did you pick this book?" Good question and so the discussions begin. Since this book dealt with death, several people related rather sensitive times in their lives when they had to deal with this on a very personal level. Alice relates what she went through when Bruce passed away and Pam recounted tough decisions she had to make in regard to Jim's health care. Topics ranged from health care, Medicare, restrictive school lunches, to building a 4 million tunnel so that college students can cross the street, and everything in between.
To round out the night, dessert was served and we all sang happy birthday to Louisa and Grace who are celebrating their birthdays this month.
REMEMBER -- next month's meeting will be on TUESDAY November 15 at Pat's house and we will read "The Art of Racing in the Rain" by Garth Stein.
Please send me your book selection for this year.
I created a pdf file under Books Read of the books we read last year - Summary of Books Read 2010-2011
We missed you Pat and sure hope your mom is doing better.
'missed you Linda and hope you are having a great time on your cruise.
Keep reading and see ya in a month if not sooner,
BTW my hand is feeling better. Don't know if it's the soy sauce or the ice or both.
KAthy G
September 16th Meeting at Pam's
Wow where do I begin. This was a very busy meeting. We ate of course and drank our wine and talk our talk, then Grace brought the meeting to order or as orderly as we can get. First on the agenda was selecting months to host our meeting. We have a few changes from last year. Check out the Reading List to make sure I got it right. In December, Grace suggested that we have a luncheon at the McFarland House since we don't have a scheduled meeting. Wednesday, December 7 seemed to suit everyone. Sharon
Pam who actually knows Ira Wagler the author of "Growing Up Amish " gave us some incite into Ira's current life and difficulties. Ira was a very troubled person who grew up in a world where he didn't belong. It was a coming of age type of book to the extreme. I equated it to growing up Catholic on steroids. A very vivid discussion ensued until it was time to have dessert.
Click here to read his blog. His last entry was his 50th birthday party where Jamie pick up our autographed books.
We will start year four of our book club. It's been wonderful. Grace will once again start off the year by hosting the meeting at her house on October 20. Her book selection is "While My Sister Sleeps" by Barbara Delinsky.
It was very chilly when we left Pam's house, I guess we really are stating a new year.
Take care and enjoy your book.
Reminders:
Reminders:
- You must contact the host if you will NOT be attending the meeting.
- The host will send out a reminder prior to the meeting. You know, sometimes we forget or get confused.
- Bring in your book suggestion at the next meeting.
So sorry you couldn't make it Edna and Pat, we missed you both.
KAthy G
August 18 Meeting at Linda's
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls and children of all ages -- Welcome to Linda's. We are together once again and this time to discuss a very special lady Mabel Starks who reminds us a little of Linda....right? She always has a story or another adventure and so did this circus lady who was married 4 or 5 times and very much in love with her 550 pound Rajah. She lead a active if not slightly insane circus life. Everyone has thought about running away to join the circus until you realize it's a dirty tough life. I liked the book but the gratuitous sex with the sick old guy at the end was totally unnecessary. Edna concurred.
Next month on Sept 15, we will meet at Pam's house after reading "Growing Up Amish" by Ira Wagler. Pam daughter knows the author and will purchase autographed copies of the books for those who requested one. We threw out some comments about life in the Amish community but we will leave most discussion until next month. Otherwise we'll have nothing to talk about. Oh right!
Our banner will be auctioned off Sept 3 at noon at the Art Centre located at 300 West King Street
BTW, Edna did find her notes. They were lying in the road in front of my next door neighbor's house. Needless to say, Edna was ecstatic.
Start thinking of what book you want us to read for next year's bookclub.
Year THREE starts in October. WOW can't believe it. It's been fun.
We missed you -- Roe, Pat and Louisa and will see you next month.
BTW, Edna did find her notes. They were lying in the road in front of my next door neighbor's house. Needless to say, Edna was ecstatic.
Start thinking of what book you want us to read for next year's bookclub.
Year THREE starts in October. WOW can't believe it. It's been fun.
We missed you -- Roe, Pat and Louisa and will see you next month.
So many books, so little time,
KAthy G
July 21 Meeting at Louisa's
It was a hot and steamy night and one by one they sauntered into the room. Sweat dripping from their brow. What could posess these fair ladies to venture out on a evening like this.
Well maybe it's bookclub night and Louisa just invited us into her home for some fun, fixing and discussin'. Crack open the wine and pour me a drink, it's time to discuss "Midnight in the Garden of Good Evil" by John Berendt.
Louisa asked several questions on the book to get us talking, Oh really, like we need an incentive. What really happened on that night when Hansford died? Are the characters in the books similar to the folks in Martinsburg? We do have our own characters. Does voodoo really work, I don't think anyone really bought that. After Louisa's famous cookies were passed around more discussion insued and we learned more about Savannah, love, life and each other.
Next month we will meet on August 18 at Linda home after reading "The Final Confession of Mabel Stark" by Robert Hough. The book is not in the Martinsburg Library, so if anyone gets a copy please pass it around.
Stay cool and enjoy your summer.
KAthy G
Well maybe it's bookclub night and Louisa just invited us into her home for some fun, fixing and discussin'. Crack open the wine and pour me a drink, it's time to discuss "Midnight in the Garden of Good Evil" by John Berendt.
Louisa asked several questions on the book to get us talking, Oh really, like we need an incentive. What really happened on that night when Hansford died? Are the characters in the books similar to the folks in Martinsburg? We do have our own characters. Does voodoo really work, I don't think anyone really bought that. After Louisa's famous cookies were passed around more discussion insued and we learned more about Savannah, love, life and each other.
Next month we will meet on August 18 at Linda home after reading "The Final Confession of Mabel Stark" by Robert Hough. The book is not in the Martinsburg Library, so if anyone gets a copy please pass it around.
Stay cool and enjoy your summer.
KAthy G
