November 21 at Grace's

I believe most members enjoyed the book,"The One" by John Marrs.   There were several characters and they were from all walks of life.  However, we did feel it was unrealistic.
It was slow getting into it but there were so many twists and turns, that it did hold your interest. The ending was a surprise and it could be a sequel.

We missed Sylvia, Edna and Louisa.

Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday.

Grace

This was our reorganization meeting and we will continue as is.

October 17 at Carol's

Since October is Halloween time, I suggested we should come in costume to match the theme of my book "The Summer of 69" .  Most everyone enjoyed the book as it led us to recall so many memories of a time we all lived through during our youth.  The story line was OK and tried to point out all the upheaval of the times.  I prepared some of the food with Dusty and Courtney's help.  We tried to fix food popular from the sixties: such as, chicken a' la king, cheddar cheese spread and crackers, and cool whip with fruit cups.  I am sorry I didn't serve the ever popular frozen dinners.  We all looked good, but Edna took the prize for the short, tight dress and boots.

Carol

September 19 at Sharon's

A dinner of make-your-own tacos was well received, but it definitely did not fit into the theme and locale of the memoir, "Educated," written by Tara Westover. Growing up in a survivalist family in rural Idaho, the author probably never sampled Mexican food! In discussing her struggle to escape violence and family dysfunction, several in our group who grew up in large families could understand why her siblings  might not have had the same experiences she had or understood her need she to break away from the family and make a life for herself. Her accomplishments in getting "educated" were amazing, all the way to earning a PhD from Cambridge University. As usual we ended the night with yummy desserts.

Sharon

August 15 at Rosemary's

Book club was held at Rosemary's on Thursday 8/15.

I tried to keep it simple with mini sandwiches , pasta salad ,and cocktail meatballs, with a variety of snacks and desserts. 
Not simple enough but oh well.

The book we discussed was "Karolina's Twins" by Ronald H.Bolson.

Most everyone liked the book.  I had been a little reluctant in choosing it, as we had read various books in relation to WW11 and the Holocaust.  I find interest, intrigue, and curiosity in events prior to the war and occurrence resulting from it.  A true battle against evil. It reminds me that mankind has such a capacity to serve and be good, and such a capacity for evil.

The book discussion was lively and many questions were raised.

Why did Lena, In her 80s, wait 70 years to search for Karolina's Twins? Why didn't she share this with her husband, David?

He never knew about the babies.  A question was asked, "why so much hatred, To this day, towards the Jewish population?

Some questions were answered and others remain a mystery and conundrum.
    

Let's not forget the events that took place and pray we learn from them.  Let's hope kindness,compassion, understanding, tolerance,education, guide us in a positive humanitarian direction so this will not occur again!

Thanks for coming and sharing a meal and discussion.

Grace and Pat we missed you!  Next book club is 9/19 at Sharon's,and the book is "Educated".

If any of you are interested, Ronald Bolson wrote the following books also:

Once We Were Brothers

The Girl from Berlin

Saving Sophie

The Trust

Love Roe

July 18 Meeting at KAthy's

Thanks everyone for coming to my house for bookclub.  It was a steamy night but we made the best of it.  We also had a special guest, Doloras, Dricka’s cousin.

We started with crab salad, garden salad and three bean salad, apparently a good day for salads.  Sylvia brought veggie platter with crab dip, Dricka  yummy cookies, Roe pastries  and Pam  wine.  I also made some lemonade pie which is always good for hot weather.

“Before we were Yours” by Lisa Wingate was a good read. All seemed to think it was well written and disclosed important information about the horrid sale of children under the guise of giving them a better home.  Poor people were duped by Georgia Train to give up their children who basically sold them to wealthy clients and this went on from 1920’s until 1950.  I passed around newspaper clipping showing “ads”  offering these children as “Christmas Baby”,  “Your for the Asking” and “Wants a home”.  We discussed our personal experience with adoption and foster care.  I had a childhood friend whose parents took in foster children and had to give them up after 2 years.  I could  never understand how they could do that.  Louisa mentioned that her brother who had 2 biological children adopted 7 children.  That’s amazing.  Carol related that someone she knows is now in the process of adopting 2 siblings. Edna shared with us that she and Glen tried to be foster parents but were only given older teen children who were too close in age with herself.  Not an ideal situation.

After our discussion we walked over to the park for a concert with Nathan Bartis Band.  They were very good but it was very very hot.  We were sweating just sitting in the stand. We left after they played “Country Roads”, perfect.

Our next meeting is August 15 at Roe’s house and will read "Karolinas Twins" by Ronald Balson.

Kathy G

June 20 Meeting at Pam's

We read "The Tale Teller" by Anne Hillerman.  She writes about the same characters as her father, Tony Hillerman.  I find him to be a better writer.  I did not like the book that well and most everyone felt the same,  We did have a good discussion on the Native Americans of today.  Their lives are still very hard, unless they leave the reservation.  Anne hillerman is a journalist in New Mexico and a New York Times best selling author.  I would try another of her books go see if I like it better.  As usual we had a nice time and enough to eat.

Pam