April 23 Meeting in WMP with Rosemary

 The April bookclub met at War Memorial Park.  Covid is still with us but we have been able to meet with friends and even now in closer quarters.  The book I had chosen was "The Winemakers Wife" by Kristin Harmel.  

It was a captivating story set against the vineyards of northern France during the global World War II which lasted from 1939-1945.  A story of deceit, guilt,intrigue, bravery, love and reconciliation.  The time period alternated from the World War II period to more recent times, with several twists and subplots and I few surprises at the end .  It was such a tumultuous time in our history, tragedies, destruction, deaths and sacrifices. So many stories of bravery and patriotism in the fight against evil.  I myself have a compulsion to study and read stories of this time period before and after.    So much hatred of humanity, prejudice, greed, But then on the flip side, compassion, courage, love of mankind and extreme sacrifices.....

The book also enlightened us as to the production of champagne, the sweat and challenges involved in this beverage that comes from a unique region of  France and to qualify as champagne it must come from this area in Northeastern France.  

Everyone seemed to enjoy the book, not all were happy with the ending involving grandma Edith 's choice at the end.
I was glad  Liv got to meet her true grandmother Celine, her dad Michel's mother.   I did like the book very much and hope all of you did!

We enjoyed the chicken wraps, chicken tenders ,snacks ,some homemade desserts and good weather at the park.  Thanks for coming.   It was great to get together!

We missed Pat, Pam, Sylvia, Grace and Alice 

love Roe

March 18 Meeting at WMP with Alice

The March 2021 episode of GTG Book Club happily gathered in person (finally!) at War Memorial
Park at our favorite pavilion. The assignment was "The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry" by Gabrielle Zevin. Everyone seemed to like the book although didn't quite understand the death/drowning of Maya's mother and how she couldn't confront the father of her baby (A.J's brother in law) in order to have things work out (and not die, as it turned out). And that happens first!

It was a book about books, a brick and mortar bookstore, and a seaside setting on (no way), Alice Island.  Fun fact: *the last book I chose for bookclub barely 8 months ago,  "28 Summers" by Elin Hildebrand, also took place on Nantucket Island, like right up the east coast from Alice Island!  

I wasn't so sure of A.J., when the story began, he was grieving the loss of his wife; however, one thing lead to another (life literally showed up at his door) and he made the most of it.  The book had wonderful pacing, interesting characters, and each chapter was themed around one of A.J.'s favorite books, which turned out to be a list for his daughter.  Nice.

Lunch/menu - All the food (subway sandwiches, chips, pickles, veggies, pickles, cookies (by Drika, thanks!) fresh fruit, and Spring flower cookies by Kathy (dee-lish)- well, everything tasted good sitting outside, hanging out with friends, and catching up eyeball to eyeball (my mom says that).

Missed you Roe, Pat and Edna; we'll see you next time. Hugs to all.

Stay well, take care of yourself, and READ ON. 

  Alice xo

February 18 Meeting on ZOOM with Sylvia

Since we are still COVID minded and continue to social distance, we met again this month via Zoom…which was not without its wrinkles! 

With Grace as navigator, Sylvia delivered homemade cookies with hot chocolate packets to everyone.  The treats were delivered the day before as book club day began with snow that lasted throughout the day.

Our book, "Fifty Words for Rain" by Asha Lemming, centers around an aristocratic Japanese family who fears a stain on their royal pedigree brought by their willful married daughter who leaves her husband to  have a relationship with an African American soldier…and the birth of their child Noriko (Nori).   At the age of 8, Nori is abandoned by her mother at the home of her grandmother with the warning to not question, fight or resist her grandmother.   Shamed by her dark skin and mixed race, Nori is hidden away in the attic of her grandparent's imperial estate where she suffers unspeakable abuse and neglect.  Only at the age of 12, when her half-brother arrives at the estate does Nori begin to experience more to life than her confinement.  This is a moving story about tradition, the power of family, loyalty, and the choices we make.

We missed Pam who couldn't join our Zoom session!

Sylvia

January 21 Meeting on ZOOM with Edna

 Well, January Bookclub started off with a bang as I delivered fried chicken dinners with apple pie.  After my second time in a year of having to do a Zoom meeting, I thought a nice home-cooked meal from Old Country Diner would be just right.  

It was a beautiful day for a drive as Glenn & I drove around Berkeley & Jefferson Counties. We also delivered our Christmas gifts:  a pen, magnet & bag from the Australian Open Tennis in Melbourne.    Luckily for me, I received a nice bag of fudge from Ruthi and a nice bottle of wine from Alice so I could have kept driving all day for wine & chocolates!!  Lol!!!

At 7:15 pm, we began our Book club meeting after I spent 15 minutes trying to get the Zoom, on my computer, started.  Carol was finally able to take over as host so that everyone could come on board.  

Since we had just finished the first book of a trilogy about Alexander Hamilton, I picked the second book "Love & War" by Melissa de la Cruz and encouraged people to read the last book, "All for One" as well.  We spent most of our time talking about Covid-19 and a little bit of time discussing the book!!  Haha.  Really though, most of us thought the middle book was boring but got better if you finished the series.   It was more interesting to me to hear about the early years of the Country than the personal history of the Hamilton’s.  

It was great to be able to see and talk to everyone.  We had eight members that were able to Zoom.  We missed Pam,  who is helping her daughter make arrangements for her grandson's funeral;  Drika, who is still coping with losing Bob;  Alice, who is caring for her aged mother;  and Pat, who is caring for her sick brother.  We are all thinking of and praying for all of you and your families!! This is what makes our group of ladies so special!!  

Hopefully, in the not too distant future, we will be able to all be together again!!  I look forward to it!!  

The February meeting will be hosted by Sylvia.  Everyone stay healthy and safe!!

Love, Edna

November 19 Meeting at WMP

Our November meeting was held at War Memorial Park and diehards:  Carol, Sylvia, Pam and myself attended.  Yes it was a bit cool 50° but we dressed for it and brought our hot tea and food to keep us comfortable.  Grace dropped off our discussion questions and profusely apologized for not hosting which was totally unnecessary.  Everyone needs to do what they are comfortable with, Covid changed everything, nobody is at fault except perhaps the Chinese.   Anyway we had a good discussion about the book "Alex and Eliza, A Love Story " by Melissa de la Cruz.  We all liked it,  it made history more interesting, more personal.  Pam mentioned that a TV series "TURN: Washington's Spies" covers the same time frame as this book.  

We missed all of you who could not join us.  As the weather get colder we may have to revert back to ZOOM, Skype, FB Message or whatever.  We also mentioned that we could have an impromptu meeting at the park if we get a break in the weather. Ya never know....

A new book club year has begun.  I think we should continue.  Everyone pick their month and then send me their book selection.  We can keep on reading and have meetings when it works, one way or another.

Have a healthy and Happy Thanksgiving,    KAthy

I see, we're all BLONDS, that explains it!

October 15 Meeting hosted by Carol at WMP

 The October meeting was held at War Memorial Park in the afternoon. I served pizza (after Doug found where it was being held captive) and individual baggies of grapes, chips and pumpkin desserts. Food was served with gloves in keeping with the Covid theme. It was nice being outside. Everyone appeared to like the book "The Whole Town is Talking" by Fannie Flagg. It was a little weird but funny with the dead people talking in the cemetery to each other. Following the families through the decades was interesting. Not sure about the dead people turning into animals though. Everyone was treated to a goodie bag with their favorite candy as a treat.

Carol