January 18 Meeting at Kathy's

 We met at my house  still decorated for Christmas.  It’s been snowing so it still feels Christmas-y to me.  Ham broccoli cheese soup seemed to be appropriate since there is a chill in the air. 

After lunch I pose the question “would you open up the box”,  the box referring to the item in our book “The Measure” by Nikki Erlick.  One day when you open your front door, waiting for you is a small wooden box. This box holds your fate inside: the answer to the exact number of years you will live. I wouldn't want to know and neither did anyone else.  All seemed to enjoy the book which was filled with interesting characters whose lives were changed by this dilemma of deciding to know your life line or not.    This knowledge changed the way people conducted their lives.  It also changed the way people treated each other depending if you were a short stringer or long stringer.  It divided the population based on that fact .  It was reminiscent of the Covid years dividing people between vaxers and non-vaxers and putting pressure on those who didn’t go along with what the government deemed in our best interest. In the end, it seemed people learned that not knowing your death date was the way most people wanted to live their lives.   A thought provoking book, tense but interesting.  Glad everyone liked the book recommended by a friend.  

We had a brief discussion of Grace’s book “Too Close to the Falls” by Kathryn Gilner. This was Kathryn’s childhood memoir which was reminiscent of my Catholic school instruction by the nuns. Strict and some crazy stuff,  but I’m sure I’m a better person for it.   An assortment of desserts brought by several people was enjoyed during our book discussions.  

We missed you, Pat, Louisa, Pam and Roe.  Edna handed out Christmas gifts brought back from England and Canary island. Thank you, Edna.

Next month on Feb 15, we meet at Sylvia’s and will read "The Starfish Sisters" by Barbara O'Neal.

Kathy

November 16 Meeting Cancelled

Grace's dear friend, traveling buddy and "sister"  Vickie passed away on Wednesday, November 8, 2023.

October 19 Meeting hosted by Carol

 Our October book club was held at my home in true Halloween mode. Themed clothing instead of costume was the dress. We started the evening with food as usual. My lovely daughter-in-law, Dusty, prepared and served us with help from Courtney, my granddaughter. We enjoyed homemade chicken pot pie, fresh salad with garlic vinaigrette dressing, cucumber sandwiches, cheese and crackers, grapes, apple slices, and chocolate covered almonds. Dessert included Apple crisp, seasonal cookies, pumpkin and zucchini breads and chocolate candies. Now for the book discussion! The book was "Bucket List" by Rachel Hanna. Most people liked the book and enjoyed how she was pushed by the death of her friend to try new things. Most found it funny with all the things she tried, but some things were a little far fetched, especially the romance. I think most of us agreed we would be willing to try these things if it meant we would inherit a beach house.

Carol

September 21 Meeting at WMP hosted by Sharon

Strains of "Good Night, Irene" filled our War Memorial Park picnic pavilion as the GTG book club ended our discussion of Luis Alberto Urrea's book by the same name. The fiction book was based on the author's mother's service during WWII with the "Donut Dollies", a Red Cross unit that provided a taste of home for the soldiers. Most of us hadn't heard of women being on the front lines where they faced many of the same dangers endured by the fighting men and suffered much of the same emotional and physical aftermath. It was an interesting read. We closed with the singing of some old songs led by our excellent club musician Pat Fogle, firing up her snazzy accordion. Sorry Louisa, Alice, Carol, Edna and Rennie couldn't be with us.

Sharon

August 17 Meeting at WMP hosted by Roe

Our book club met at War Memorial Park, Thursday Aug 17 at 5:00 to discuss the book "Leaving Time" by Jodi Picoult.  Prior to discussing the book we shared baked ziti, and an assortment of sandwiches and desserts.  We then planned to enjoy the music of the Navy Band who performed at the park.

Most of those present (we missed Pat, Grace, Sylvia, Sharon, Louisa and Drika), enjoyed the book and were unprepared for the supernatural climax.  Some of us shared our experience with paranormal occurrences, such as a "séance" or felt a spiritual  presence at some moment in their life.  I myself am a little uncertain about spirits and Angels. Part of me wants to believe that Angels exist . I haven't had any supernatural experiences, just an aura that my angels are around me and not always spiritual😀.

I thought the facts and insight into the elephant community and their behavior patterns were very interesting.   Amazing creatures!  

Thanks Kathy for my elephant-shaped dollar.

 I had thought it would be clever to make one for everyone in the book club, but after looking at the video I realized I don't have the patience or persistence to do just one!   

Thanks again Kathy, I love  it!

 Love Roe

July 13 Meeting at Kathy's

 We had a really good turn out at book club tonight.  We were only missing Edna, Louisa and Roe. It was hot as hell so we met in the air conditioning. It was great seeing everyone since it been way too long since we’ve been together.  

After much banter, we enjoyed our fried chicken, salads and other accompaniments.  I was asked why I picked this book “The Erotic Stories of the Punjabi Widows.  I read it several years ago and remembered that the subject matter was interesting.  Widows in this culture were considered useless, a non entity.   In India, many widows are considered to be unlucky or unworthy. There's a variety of demoralizing customs associated with widowhood. She may be stripped of colorful clothing and allowed to only wear white. Her hair is shaved and she is told to give up all adornment such as jewelry or makeup. This book of fiction described how widows banded together to better themselves by signing up for a class to learn how to read and write English. They got sidelined because they got a hold of a erotic book and it inspired the ladies to write or create their own storied about what they wanted in life. They wanted to feel like a person, be recognized and loved.  Yes, there were erotic stories, but they were italicized and you could read around them.  The main point of the book was the empowerment of these women. Only a few people read the whole book owing in part of us meeting a week early.  I know Alice really enjoyed the book as much as I did.

Alice and I attended the WMP Concert in the park afterwards, interrupted by a rain storm.

Next month Rosemary will host at WMP and we will read “Leaving Time” by Jodi Picoult.

Kathy G