July 18 Meeting at Rennie's

The Good Times Girls Book Club met at my home 7/18 for my first Book club gathering.  Thankfully the heat wave broke and we were able to eat outside. Lunch had a Mexican flare to it. We got right to eating and catching up with each other. We ran out of time to float in the pool. (Thank you, Pam, for swapping months with me so we could have a swim).

I chose the novel “The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store” written by James Mc Bride.  This is a story of a community (Chicken Hill) of Jewish, Black, and European immigrant families centered around the Jewish owned grocery store in Pottstown Pa in the 20s and 30s.  The story is full of big personalities dealing with love, death, murder kidnapping and just living together. I would recommend it.  Steven Spielberg is adapting the novel to the screen which he will produce someday. 

I want to thank you all for the opportunity to be a part of this lovely group of friends.  I am really grateful for your friendship .

Sincerely,

Rennie 

June 13 Meeting at WMP hosted by Edna

  The first thing I need to do is apologize for the late Book club entry. I thought I did it before I left for England but you know what that’s like. The thought and the deed are two different things!! Haha

   Anyway, if I can remember that far back; I will try to give a fairly accurate description of the meeting.  There were 7 of us that made it and we missed the rest of you that were unable to be there.  We met for eats at 5:00pm., at the pavilion on the hill.  I did a picnic with the fried chicken, pasta salad, baked beans, etc.  Then we had shortcake with fruit and English custard.  Also chips, dips, & cheeses.  
   We discussed the book, , “A Bridge Across the Ocean”, which was liked by everyone.  Again, a discussion followed about Spirits and the afterlife with mixed feelings among us.  The July book & meeting time was set. 
   Then we were joined by some friends who ate & sat with us and enjoyed the music that started at 7:00pm.  As usual, it was a very enjoyable social time.  I am looking forward to the next Book club that I can be at which will probably be in September!!  Thanks for your patience and understanding!  

God bless all!! 

Edna

May 23 Meeting at Pam's

 

April 18 - 21 Meeting in Fenwick Island, TY Pat!

"The Women" by Kristin Hannah had us reliving our teen years when the Vietnam War was claiming too many lives.  Carol shared that her brother, Johnny, who had not been trained for war,  was killed.  

Lots of good discussion around the dining room table while we enjoyed Grace's lasagna.  Ice cream of many flavors was great fun for dessert.

It was a special few days at Pelican (Pat's beach house), with much sharing, laughter, good eats, and games!!! I wish we all could have been there together.

Pat

March 7 Meeting at Alice's

'Twas a grand gathering of the Reading ladies to the peach brick house on Lina Lane for the annual wearin' of the green (all of us) plus shamrock & rainbow topped cupcakes (thank you Rennie) and other treats! 

The book I chose, SOMEBODY'S DAUGHTER, by Ashley C. Ford, was a memoir of her childhood with her dad being in prison and her mother,  a single mom with 2 then 4 children to raise. Her family is poor, the relationship with her mother is testy, seemingly harsh,(Ashley is the oldest child) and as she grows into adolescence, then to a teen and beyond, it only gets more challenging. Ashley is a survivor;  her mother's strong example along with her grandmother's steady presence & balance, penetrate her character.

One thing that Ashley learned early in her education and schooling: she could turn to what gives her solace and delight: Books from the library!  Oh, they did make her happy in dark days. Our bookclub can connect with her on this level!  I heard Ashley interviewed on the radio during a review of "Somebody's Daughter" and wanted to read the memories she shared which took 10 years to write. And she was from Indiana. (ahh, the Midwest).

Thanks to all who joined me and missed those not able to attend.  Also, again, to Rennie for sharing her heartbreaking family story with her dad similar to Ashley's. That was personal and I appreciated her loving candor. It made another connection to this book, I was touched.  We all were.  Photos, too.  Brilliant!

See you next year, Erin Go Braugh.   

SLAINTE' always to all.   

Alice

February 15 Meeting at Sylvia's

 GTG Book Club met at Sylvia’s on February 15.  BBQ chicken sliders and Mediterranean pasta salad were served for lunch, and a plethora of desserts were enjoyed.  Thank you to Pat, Roe and Kathy for your contributions!

Discussion followed about February’s selection, “The Starfish Sisters” by Barbara O’Neal.  The story is about the 40-plus years of friendship of Phoebe and Suze from adolescence to adulthood.  The tale shifts back and forth between two timelines…current events and long past events that formed their friendship.  Phoebe and Suze were as close as sisters when they were young.  When Suze returns to their coastal Oregon town to live, the two are forced to face the secrets from the past that strained their bond.  “The Starfish Sisters” is a story of friendship between two women, their heartaches, disagreements, betrayals, secrets…and how they forgive and move on.

We missed Louisa, Grace, and Sharon.

Sylvia