February 20 - Dricka's 80th Birthday Bash

"The Silent Patient"

The book starts out giving the background of main characters Alicia, an artist and Theo who becomes her psychotherapist, both whom grew up in an abusive family and lead to their instability.

After learning of an affair of their spouses, Alicia's husband Gabriel is killed. This leads you to question who really did this.

After much speculation on who did it, you learn from Alicia's diary that Theo came home and found out that Gabriel and his wife, Kathy were having an affair. When Theo, her therapist, finds out that Alicia who was silent since the murder remembers this, he tries to kill her. After her death they find the diary which explains Theo's involvement.  

The book ends with the detective coming to arrest him. Alicia in her instability had killed Gabriel who she felt betrayed her and she became the "Silent Patient".

It was a good mystery book that kept your interest.

We had our book club meeting at King's Pizza and were joined by our birthday group to celebrate my 80TH birthday. We had a wonderful cake with my baby picture on it and cookies I made for everyone to bring home. 

We missed you Louisa. 

Dricka

            

January 16, 2020 at Sylvia's

Since it is January, we met in the afternoon for lunch.  Both a red and a white chili were served with salad and breads.

Our book, “Beneath a Scarlet Sky”, by Mark Sullivan, is a work of historical fiction.  The story takes place in Milan, Italy, during World War II.  It is about a young man, Pino Lella, who at age 17 helps Jewish refugees escape over the Alps into Switzerland, falls in love, and at age 18 becomes a spy for the Partisan Resistance Movement as a personal driver to a German major general in Hitler’s high command.  The story lent itself well to a lively discussion regarding courage and bravery, family, love and loss, revenge and compassion...and often a lack of compassion.  Everyone found the book to be a good read, and each of us marveled at the bravery and resilience of those who lived...and died...during those times.

Of course, after discussion multiple desserts were enjoyed.  We missed Edna, Pat, Pam and Rosemary.  We were glad to have Alice with us.

Sylvia

December 19 Christmas Dinner at McFarland House

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