The book club met October 20, 2016, to discuss the book, “A Dirty Life,” by Kristin Kimball. Rosemary was unable to attend. After a simple meal of sloppy joes and salad, and, later, pumpkin pie cake, we sat down to talk about the true story of a NYC reporter who went down to Kentucky to interview a farmer who was doing organic farming. She falls in love with the rural setting and the farmer and follows him to upstate New York where together they establish an organic farming community. Most of us agreed, even though the thought of giving up the busy city life for a quiet life in the country sounded romantic, we would not have lasted long, rising at 4 am to milk the cows, doing hard work every day with few baths, and wearily falling into bed still in dirty work clothes. Most liked the book and were interested in learning more about the couple’s life now, so we looked up the author’s blog which contained pictures and an account of how successful the farm has become. As the author discovers, "As much as you transform the land by farming, farming transforms you." Several of the readers said they planned to buy the book as gifts for relatives and friends. It’s always nice when the book you choose to share is appreciated!
Sharon
September 22 - 26 Meeting at Pat's Beach House
Being Mortal by Atul Gawande is a life changing look at the issues and concerns of illness, aging, living, and dying. It sparked meaningful and emotional discussion for our group. ...appropriate that we shared this book at the beach.
"The cure for anything is saltwater...sweat, tears, or the sea." - Isak Dinesen
A wonderful time was had by all.
We missed you Louisa.
"The cure for anything is saltwater...sweat, tears, or the sea." - Isak Dinesen
A wonderful time was had by all.
We missed you Louisa.
August 25 Meeting at Carol's
Canceled, all members on vacation or otherwise engaged. "Roses" by Leila Meacham will be discussed in September Meeting.
June 16 Meeting at Rosemary's
Book club met at Rosemary 's on Wednesday, June 16th. The book, "Tumbleweeds" by Leila Meacham, was discussed after dining on sandwiches,
salads. Most everyone enjoyed the book about the three main characters,
Cathy, John, and Trey, and the events that greatly impacted their lives. The
authors previous novel, "Roses" was mentioned and regarded as one of her better
ones as compared to "Tumbleweeds". Carol Mason decided to choose "Roses" as her
August book club selection.
The discussion of the book concluded with various desserts. We missed
Pat, Sharon and Grace, and look forward to our next Book club meeting at Pam's
home on July 21.
Wishing everyone a safe and enjoyable summer.
Rosemary
May 26 Meeting at Carol's with Alice hosting
Kitchens of the Great Midwest by S. Ryan Stradal
A review and summary by Alice McCarthy
I saw this book at the South Jefferson Library in Summit Point (what a gem of a place, check it out sometime) and it jumped into my hand. I read a page of two, and then saw recipes sprinkled here and there, I was hooked. (Like Momma’s Carrot Cake and the Onion Soup, yum).
It’s a mysterious story about Chef Eva Thorvald that moves forward from birth to adulthood in a not always completing the details style that was disconcerting and confusing to some….well, I liked it! Also, there is keen detail on the modern take on food: using specific varieties of tomatoes and corn, wine pairings for specific meats and fish; an adventure catching the perfect fish, and red pepper jelly/growing hot peppers, and serving that Caesar Salad.
My favorite chapter was on the Bar Cookies~ what a hoot! (Sooo typical of those Midwest ladies, have seen it before with my own eyes at the 4-H Fair and County Fair in Princeton, IL where I spent time every summer, 100 west of Chicago. Yes, in the midst of flat land and endless cornfields and big gardens and canning food and freezers full of beef).
And all this taking place and literally imagined (cause writers write what they know) out of where the author grew up in Minnesota, Iowa, and Chicago plus that fabulous isolated locale for the fine dining ending amazing 7 course meal…. And Eva’s mom showing up at the end…..
The title pulled me in since I grew up in the various locations in the Midwest, too: born in Iowa City, IA; Tiskawa, IL; and Cincinnati, OH.
And when I took my own boys there, to the family farm in Illinois, they hated it! (They loved going into big city Chicago for the Cubs baseball games and to see the aquarium. That’s the way it goes!)
Thanks Carol for the support, great kitchen table, fabulous patriotic decorated tree and the Red White and Blue color scheme. That was the best!! And in the GTG Book club, we never have to worry about our wine pairings- we drink anything! Bon appetit!
A review and summary by Alice McCarthy
I saw this book at the South Jefferson Library in Summit Point (what a gem of a place, check it out sometime) and it jumped into my hand. I read a page of two, and then saw recipes sprinkled here and there, I was hooked. (Like Momma’s Carrot Cake and the Onion Soup, yum).
It’s a mysterious story about Chef Eva Thorvald that moves forward from birth to adulthood in a not always completing the details style that was disconcerting and confusing to some….well, I liked it! Also, there is keen detail on the modern take on food: using specific varieties of tomatoes and corn, wine pairings for specific meats and fish; an adventure catching the perfect fish, and red pepper jelly/growing hot peppers, and serving that Caesar Salad.
My favorite chapter was on the Bar Cookies~ what a hoot! (Sooo typical of those Midwest ladies, have seen it before with my own eyes at the 4-H Fair and County Fair in Princeton, IL where I spent time every summer, 100 west of Chicago. Yes, in the midst of flat land and endless cornfields and big gardens and canning food and freezers full of beef).
And all this taking place and literally imagined (cause writers write what they know) out of where the author grew up in Minnesota, Iowa, and Chicago plus that fabulous isolated locale for the fine dining ending amazing 7 course meal…. And Eva’s mom showing up at the end…..
The title pulled me in since I grew up in the various locations in the Midwest, too: born in Iowa City, IA; Tiskawa, IL; and Cincinnati, OH.
And when I took my own boys there, to the family farm in Illinois, they hated it! (They loved going into big city Chicago for the Cubs baseball games and to see the aquarium. That’s the way it goes!)
Thanks Carol for the support, great kitchen table, fabulous patriotic decorated tree and the Red White and Blue color scheme. That was the best!! And in the GTG Book club, we never have to worry about our wine pairings- we drink anything! Bon appetit!
