The evening started off with a BANG but I won't go into details. We settled down to a wonderful meal of chicken enchilada and salad and although it wasn't in keeping with the book, it was all good. We ate like we we preparing for the Iditarod. Dessert was served to ease us into the discussion of "Winterdance" by Gary Paulsen.
Sharon liked the book and found it out right funny, which several others agreed. The poor guys was getting beat to death. He almost seemed like a cartoon character, it was down right amusing. Alice related several stories of people she knew who lived in the wilderness they call Alaska. She and her family witnessed a smaller dog race up in Corning. Louisa took a cruise to Alaska and saw the training ground of Susan Butcher. Susan Butcher is noteworthy as the second woman to win the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in 1986, the second four-time winner in 1990, and the first to win four out of five sequential years. Sharon related that the animal rights groups are protesting the inhuman treatment of the dogs in the Iditarod but the mushers counter that the sled dogs are well cared for. They say they take
better care of the dogs than they do of themselves, which is probably true. Edna commented that some pets are treated better than humans.We all agreed that this was one tough race and that this is crazy. No one was signing up for it any time soon.
For May's Meeting we decided to go out to dinner at the "Black Eyed Susan" in Williamsport, MD. Everyone can read a book of choice and feel free to discuss it on May 17. We will decide where to meet as the date gets closer.
Check out the reading list as several people have now revealed their book choice.
June 21's meeting will be at Ellen's and we will read "50 shades of Grey" by E.L. James - shame on you Ellen, we'd expect something like this from Edna........ha ha. Can't wait to start reading it.
Great seeing you all, especially Ellen who looks "marvelous"!
GEE,
KAthy G
Hello to Pat and Linda. Grace is cruising the Mediterranean so I'm sure she just doing fine.
March 15 Meeting at Kathy's
I'm so glad they are all finally gone. What a bunch, they are more interested in eating than reading the book and they call themselves a book club....
Did I say that out loud!
Suffice to say, everyone really liked the book and I don't think they were just being social. They did look me in the eye when they said it. The book didn't just give pause to Asperger but to growing up being a little different and I think everyone could relate to that. Grace found his childhood to be sad because his inability to make friends, but again I think everyone has been in that situation at some time in their lives. Linda related her experiences teaching mentally challenged youth and both Alice and especially Louisa have spent years in the school systems observing the intermingling of special ed children into the "normal" classroom. Great strides have been made to improve the lives of handicapped but some question, at what expense. Round and round we go, topics are covered from his naming convention - he called his brother “Snort,” and later,“Varmint, his pranks - when he sent his Biology teacher a sex toy, his technical skill - creating special effects for KISS and how his extreme focus kept him away from drugs and alcohol abuse somewhat, despite the fact that it was readily available. Alice expressed how this book had touched her personally. John Elder Robison's life is an amazing story that not only addresses Asperger but dealing with people in general because we are all a little "retarded" sometimes, to quote one of our own.
I don't know about you but I'm exhausted!
Next month we go to Sharon and will have read "Winterdance" by Gary Paulsen. Hopefully it won't snow but if it does you can always bring your dog sled.
If anyone has their book selection, please let me know and I will post it. You can always add it in the blog's comments and everyone will be notified.
Wishing Ellen all the best and missing Pat and Roe,
Till next time happy reading,
KAthy G
Did I say that out loud!
Suffice to say, everyone really liked the book and I don't think they were just being social. They did look me in the eye when they said it. The book didn't just give pause to Asperger but to growing up being a little different and I think everyone could relate to that. Grace found his childhood to be sad because his inability to make friends, but again I think everyone has been in that situation at some time in their lives. Linda related her experiences teaching mentally challenged youth and both Alice and especially Louisa have spent years in the school systems observing the intermingling of special ed children into the "normal" classroom. Great strides have been made to improve the lives of handicapped but some question, at what expense. Round and round we go, topics are covered from his naming convention - he called his brother “Snort,” and later,“Varmint, his pranks - when he sent his Biology teacher a sex toy, his technical skill - creating special effects for KISS and how his extreme focus kept him away from drugs and alcohol abuse somewhat, despite the fact that it was readily available. Alice expressed how this book had touched her personally. John Elder Robison's life is an amazing story that not only addresses Asperger but dealing with people in general because we are all a little "retarded" sometimes, to quote one of our own.
I don't know about you but I'm exhausted!
Next month we go to Sharon and will have read "Winterdance" by Gary Paulsen. Hopefully it won't snow but if it does you can always bring your dog sled.
If anyone has their book selection, please let me know and I will post it. You can always add it in the blog's comments and everyone will be notified.
Wishing Ellen all the best and missing Pat and Roe,
Till next time happy reading,
KAthy G
February 23 Meeting at Rosemary's
February's meeting was moved up a week, which made it possible for our beachcomber friends, Edna and Grace to be with us. It also enabled us to get a hold of the "book" which was in short supply. It was worth it because we really liked the book, but, I'm getting ahead of myself. First we had our chit chat around the cheese, crackers and wine. Afterwards, we gathered at the table, said grace and enjoyed the good food that Rosemary put before us.
As dinner was completed, we discussed the March meeting. We will meet in three weeks, on March 15 at my house (Kathy). I have selected the book by John Elder Robison. "Look me in the eye: My Life with Asperger". Sharon gave us the name of her book - "Winterdance" by Gary Paulsen and if anyone else has their book selection please let me know.
There was an overwhelming yes in response to" did we liked the book", in fact several members had already recommended it to their friends. Grace liked the writing style of Kimberley Freeman who interlaced the life story of a grandmother with her granddaughter's. "Wildflower Hill" spans three generations of women as it fluctuates between Beattie’s third-person past and Emma’s firsthand accounts of life as a prima ballerina in modern-day London, followed by her unexpected return to Sydney and Wildflower Hill. Both Beattie and Emma find themselves having to start over. Freeman's complex characters were capable of love and hate, shame and redemption. We had a Plethora ( you like that) of characters to love, hate, sympathize and understand. The ending left us questioning, will there be a sequel?? Also, where in the world is Tasmania??
Enjoy this wonderful winter complete with daffodils peaking their heads out of the ground. I hope they don't have an unexpected surprise!
KAthy G
Linda and Pat, so sorry you missed it. A speedy recovery to Ellen, we're all pulling for you.
As dinner was completed, we discussed the March meeting. We will meet in three weeks, on March 15 at my house (Kathy). I have selected the book by John Elder Robison. "Look me in the eye: My Life with Asperger". Sharon gave us the name of her book - "Winterdance" by Gary Paulsen and if anyone else has their book selection please let me know.
There was an overwhelming yes in response to" did we liked the book", in fact several members had already recommended it to their friends. Grace liked the writing style of Kimberley Freeman who interlaced the life story of a grandmother with her granddaughter's. "Wildflower Hill" spans three generations of women as it fluctuates between Beattie’s third-person past and Emma’s firsthand accounts of life as a prima ballerina in modern-day London, followed by her unexpected return to Sydney and Wildflower Hill. Both Beattie and Emma find themselves having to start over. Freeman's complex characters were capable of love and hate, shame and redemption. We had a Plethora ( you like that) of characters to love, hate, sympathize and understand. The ending left us questioning, will there be a sequel?? Also, where in the world is Tasmania??
Enjoy this wonderful winter complete with daffodils peaking their heads out of the ground. I hope they don't have an unexpected surprise!
KAthy G
Linda and Pat, so sorry you missed it. A speedy recovery to Ellen, we're all pulling for you.
January 19th Meeting at Edna's
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
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
