April 20 Meeting at Rosemary's

The GTG bookclub met on April 20, 2017 at Rosemary's, for food and discussion of the book "Two Rivers", by T. Greenwood.

We missed Pat, Dricka and Grace, and I  asked a guest to join us, Susan Silvestri, sister- in- law of Rosemary.   A light meal of Minestrone Soup (with lots of noodles haha), biscuits, and light snacks were served,  after which the infamous Cheesecake, along with various desserts were also offered.  

The book  "Two Rivers", one of about 12 written by the author T. Greenwood, was enjoyed by most of us.   A few of the ladies, found the book confusing and tiring with the movement back and forth to present and past by the main character, Harper Montgomery.   

The book took place during the 1950 - 1980 time period in Vermont.  This was a time period of much controversy and difficulties in our American history.   There was the Vietnam War, civil rights, racial Issues, and women rights.  Racial disparity in parts of our country relating to the treatment and prejudice that existed then and to a smaller degree now, was discussed.   The racial issue was perhaps at the core of the main theme in this book.   Harper struggled with the guilt from a previous racial encounter and had much guilt and remorse that he carried for many years. 

   

Most of us were surprised at the ending and why Maggie, (the pregnant black girl) came to find  Harper, who thought she was out to fulfill a vendetta that happened in his Past.     It was a story of guilt and resolution, love, loss and forgiveness.  A real" pick me up."

Actually, it did have somewhat of a happy ending.

Thanks all for coming.   I tried to downplay the dinner theme and hope you enjoyed the food and beverages.   Enjoyed hosting and next time it will be rice cakes and water (with lemon), only kidding.     

Love to you all and look forward to our next bookclub meeting at Louisa's.   The book is "My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry", by Fredrik Blackman.  

Rosemary

March 16 Meeting at Alice's Mom's

    GTG Book club dinner and discussion on "All The Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr.  The meal was a combination of French and Irish cultures – we missed Louisa, Grace, Edna and Dricka—Thank you Roe for bringing shamrock cookies—great to have everyone ride over to my mom’s house in Charles Town for the evening!

    This work of historical fiction was a back and forth timeline of the two main characters: Marie Laure (blind French girl) and Werner Pfennig (German orphan, graduate of a Hitler Youth school, and radio guru).
Kathy commented on trying to understand this forward and back action of the book, that it was confusing.   I found it exciting as it pushed me toward the ending, where Werner and Marie Laure finally meet!  Where Werner saves her life using (his own + Nazi) radio training and pulled by the unique voice of Marie Laure’s uncle --coincidentally that Werner and his sister used to listen to as children in Germany, years before.

     Pat was saddened by Werner and Marie Laure’s not being able to get married; ahh, there was so much potential for a life together!

     The book’s center event was WWII and the August 8, 1944 Allied attack on the northern city of St. Malo, France.  We agreed it was a brilliant story of love, perseverance and incredible moral witness; unspeakable death during WWII in Europe; no one was spared from tragedy, heartache, and crimes/sins of every sort, which was Carol’s thought on why Werner perished.(and the Sea of Flames!!)  People tried to help each other and do good things when possible.

     " All the Light We Cannot See" had been on the bestseller list for 2 years and when Sharon gave me a copy, I finally read it in December.  Lately, I noticed all the references to birds: metaphors for beauty and normalcy among harsh school conditions, a quiet and sensitive friend who loved nature, and finally for the soaring spirits of those who were lost during the war.

       Leaving you with words by the The Professor:  "Open your eyes and see what you can see before they close forever….Consider a single piece of coal glowing in your family’s stove.….So how, children, does the brain, which lives without a spark of light,  Build for us a world full of light?"

Alice  

February 16 Meeting at Dricka's

Book club this month was on the 16th of February. We read "the Memory Keeper's Daughter" by Kim Edwards. We were a total of seven ladies due to Grace and Pat were away and Roe had a stomach virus plus Pam had a previous engagement. Missed you all!

The book told the story of two families. One was divided by a lie (Norah, David and son, Paul. The other family (Caroline and Al) were united in love taking care of a child, Phoebe with Downs Syndrome who was given to Caroline. When Norah gave birth to twins, Paul and Phoebe, she was told by her husband doctor, David, that that Phoebe had died at birth. But the truth was, David couldn't face a life of sorrow and pain. His own sister died of complications from her disabilities and he saw what devastation of losing her did to his family. Because of this fear, he thought to make up this lie of their daughter dying. The only thing he did was to make a divide between himself and Norah due to his coldness because he had to live with this lie. When he was told to tell the truth to set himself free of his guilt by a friend, he went to his wife's house to tell her the truth but had a heart attack and died before he could. By chance of going thru his belongings, Norah found correspondence from Caroline to David about his daughter, Phoebe. Devastated as she was, she went to see her daughter, Phoebe, for the first time. The story seemed to be enjoyed by everyone!

We had a dinner consisting of Tuscan Garlic Chicken and pot roast with potatoes. Our desserts were apple crisp, raspberry cheesecake, cannolis and chocolate mousse. As full as the ladies were, I talked them into taking home care packages so I wouldn't be left with a lot of food. Carol was nice to bring along valentine candy gifts for everyone. Our next meeting will be at Alice's on March 17th and the book is "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr.

Thanks ladies and love,
 Dricka

January 19 Meeting at Edna's

    Bookclub for January was held on Thursday, the 19th, at my house.  We read the book, "Step on a Crack," by James Patterson.  Everyone seemed to really like the book.  It is the first book in a new Patterson series about Michael Bennett and is set in NYC. The action takes place in St. Patrick's Cathedral and is very exciting but people seemed to like the back story about Bennett and his priest grandfather, dying wife and 10 kids; just as much. 

    We had some good old Zuppa Toscana soup ( which Kathy supplied Icelandic lava bread for); and kielbasa and sweet sausage sandwiches with grilled onions, peppers, and sauerkraut.   Several people brought cookies and Drika made delicious brownies (haha, just kidding Drika!); really a delicious moist cake!!!  Louisa brought candy which I forgot to give out so I took it to Alice's birthday party and shared it then.  I also brought back one of Iceland's favorite candies; chocolate covered black licorice; which most tried and deemed ok.

    Everyone was here and it was a warm, wonderful meeting, with warm, wonderful friends.  Thank you all for being part of my life!!  It is great to be part of such an awesome group of ladies, whatever the occasion. 

    The next meeting is on the 3rd Thursday of February at Drika's.  We are reading "The Memory Keepers Daughter."  See you there!!

Love, Edna

December 7 Christmas Tea at the Coach and Horses Tea House

On December 7, we met at Coach and Horses Tea House for our Christmas celebration. The food was outstanding and so was the company. Of course, that goes with out saying. We have such a wonderful group of ladies. For those if you who missed it, Edna was in a dilemma trying to decide where she should sit finally, she settled on the head of the table. Everyone from book club was in attendance. Carol and Edna gave us all a little gift, very thoughtful and very much appreciated. Don't remember who but it was suggested we go to Purple Iris next year which sounds fine to me.

Respectfully submitted,   Grace 1/17/17

November 17 Meeting at Grace's

"The Lemon Orchard"  by Luanne Rice

It is always wonderful when we get together. I can't believe we have  been together for nine years.  Thank you girls for making this such a successful book club/dinner club.

Like most books we read, some liked it and some did not. I personally, enjoyed the book.  There were some very sad life events that took place.  We discussed how we might deal with different people's situations.  For instance, staying in a marriage even if you are unhappy because marriage is a lifetime commitment.  Risking your life and that of your child to get to a better place.   The bottom line is everyone wants a better life for themselves and their families.  I don't believe any of us can comprehend what it is like not to have shelter, health care or to know where our next meal will be coming from.  We discussed that the these problems are something that should be dealt with more globally.  The book also reflected on the trials and tribulations of trying to make a better life and the risks involved and the problems that illegal immigrants create.  What I always think about is that a majority are just wanting a better life and are willing to work for it.

Grace