April 15 Meeting at Ellen's

Once again our assorted group comes together to partake in a wonderful meal and discuss another novel.  Ellen serves corn chip and dip, salad, hot dogs and Mexicans which leads to the discussion of indigenous foods.   Some of the members are unaware that "Mexican" (ground beef and ketchup on a bun - no hot dog) are particular to this area. During dinner the song "Daniel" by Elton John was brought to mind.  I couldn't for the life of me get that tune until I got home and searched for it on Google (of course) 
Click here to  listen

After dinner, Ellen asked us several questions to start the discussion on "Shadow of  the Wind".  This book was recommended to her by a family member.  Most if not all liked the book.  I enjoyed the author’s writing style but didn't like the ending and thought it was too Disney-like "happily ever after".  The book had its cast of interesting characters and I liked the parallel life between Julián and Daniel.   Even though this book is mainly a mystery novel, the narration is somewhat different from other murder mysteries I have read.  Edna brought up the many great quotes by Fermin, who was Daniel's great and resourceful sidekick.
Some quotes from the book not necessarily Fermin:

• Presents are made for the pleasure of who gives them, not for the merits of who receives them.
• We exist as long as somebody remembers us.
• Books are mirrors: you only see in them what you already have inside you.
• Few things leave a deeper mark on a reader than the first book that finds its way into his heart  

All in all it was a very enjoyable book and discussion.  We managed to stay on target discussing the book and also did cover a number and variety of topics.  What get discussed at book club , stays at book club!

Next month,  Gayle has selected "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer. We will meet at her house on May 20th at 6:00.

Enjoy this wonderful weather and see you all in a month.

KAthy G

March 18 Meeting at Alice's

We arrive at Alice's home with the aroma of Irish Stew in the air.  How yummy.  It seems like a really long time since we last met and it takes us a good long while to catch up on what has been going on over the past month.  After about an hour long intercourse (ha ha I got your attention), we begin our dinner of good hardy Irish Stew, salad and Irish bread, since yesterday was St Patty's Day.  After dinner Alice reports on her book "Reading Lolita in Tehran" by Azar Nafisi which her son Sean recommended.  Alice explain why she loves this book and why she is totally fascinated with Dr. Nafisi and her students.  Topics discussed included Iranian culture, woman's rights, scholarship and American culture.  We find we are a bit like the characters in Dr. Nafisi's bookclub discussing books but also exposing a bit of ourselves and our lives to the group. The group is divided by those who liked the book and those who didn't but all agree that the reason we are here is to be introduced to books and ideas we wouldn't normally pick ourselves.
 
Next month, April 15th, we will meet at Ellen's house to discuss a mystery.  The first mystery is what is the name of the book we will read.  Well, I'll tell you, it's "Shadow of The Wind" by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.

Happy Spring, have a wonderful Easter and let's go Mountaineers!!!

KAthy G

February 18 Meeting at Rosa's

Buona sera e benvenuti al nostro corso serale.

After traversing luge style though the mountains of snow that is the current terrain in Berkeley County, we all arrived at Rosa's casa for an Italian feast.  She served appetizers, wonderful cheese ball, salad, baked ziti with "gravy", Italian bread with herbal olive oil and wine.  This was all in keeping with this month's book selection "Evening Classes" by Maeve Binchey.  Once again a lively discussion commenced after Rosa tested us with several Italian phrases from the book. As a group, we all passed with flying colors.  There were many characters, which is Binchey's style and all were intertwined which made for an interesting read.  In the end all agreed that Signora who had a knack for transforming the lives of everyone she meets was by far the primo character.  Louisa and Edna, however, didn't agree with Signora's choice to spend 25 years "sewing in her window".  We ended our meeting with an array of desserts including biscotti, panettone, carrot cake, cream puffs and Irish decorated cupcakes.....now where did that come from, oh yeah “Evening Classes” did take place in Ireland.

Alice introduced her book "Reading Lolita in Tehran" by Azar Nafisi for next month's book club meeting on March 18.  Let Alice know if you will or will not be attending the meeting.

A reminder, if you have any books you would like to share, please bring them to our meetings. If you have suggestions for books, please email me or "Comment" on this bog and I will start a list of Recommended Books.

Pick up a few books, looks like this is going to be one very white winter.

Stay warm and see you on March 18th if not sooner,

Kathy G

JANUARY 21 Meeting at Edna's

¡Dios mío!, where do I start.  Edna really out did herself.  She had a NY chef (her daughter Angelique) prepare a wonderful Spanish dinner, starting with several Tapas (Spanish appetizers), Sangria and Paella. After dinner Edna quizzed us on the book "The Alchemist" by  Paulo Coelho. "The world's greatest lie: At a certain point in our lives we lose control of what's happening to us and our lives become controlled by fate"  was debated with a split decision.  We also discussed traveling to learn more about other cultures, how religions have a central theme and following one's dream. To round out the Spanish theme,  Angel served us a wonderful dessert of Churros with chocolate dipping sauce. We also had Turtles, oatmeal cookies and baklava brought by several of the bookclub members.
"The Alchemist" was a short simple book about  following ones dream and then finding it in "our own backyard". The book with it's simplicity evoked a wealth of discussion and if it wasn't for the ice storm we could have kept going.

When time allows, I will set up a page to summarize each book that we read.
I have the results from last year's  "top 2":
 #1 "The Glass Castle"
 #2 "Queen of the Big Time".

Next month we will meet at Rosemary's house and read  “Evening Class” by Maeve Binchey.  Stay warm and enjoy the book.

"Adiós a mis amigos "
KAthy G

NOVEMBER 19 Meeting at Kathy's

It was a cold and rainy night, wait a minute, that's what it was last month.  This is getting ridiculous and we're reading yet another depressing  tale of woe or so some thought.
Anyway, after a bit of chit chat and wine, we settled down to some lovely "pig head" sandwiches and hot potato soup,  nothing says Ireland like pig and potatoes.  We also had Irish soda bread, cream puffs, sugar cookies and the ultimate carrot cake made by yours truly.  All very lovely.
And now for the book "Angela's Ashes".  What was Angela's Ashes?  Edna thought that his mom was going to die but it turns out Angela's Ashes was her life,  like ashes, was all burned up, nothing left, husband gone, children dead and finally Frank going off to America.  She has nothing left, just like her cigarettes after she was finished smoking them; all that was left was ashes.  Despite the extreme poverty and hardships, Frank doesn't give up.  He rises above his lowly station in life. There were a number of amusing incidents and on the whole I liked the book.  After asking if anyone would describe a childhood memory, we were entertained with life incidents from several people. I am going to get the sequel 'Tis which I thought he cleverly introduced in the last chapter with that one word. 

I would like everyone to evaluate the books we have read last year and send me your selection for the best book from "Queen of the Big Time" to "The Glass Castle".  See the list on the right.
Click on Comments and write in your choice, you do not need to include your name.  I will announce the results at the next meeting.  The next meeting will be at Edna's home on January 21 and we will read  "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho.

It's been great fun and will see ya next year unless I see ya sooner.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.
KAthy G

OCTOBER 15 Meeting at Grace's

It was a cold and rainy night, in fact it was "colder than a witches tit" as someone once said.  However once inside Grace's home we were greeted with warm Brei, a hearty Italian squash soup, cream cheese pizza and  coffee to warm the cockles of one's heart. Anyway, we all felt a bit better after eating some warm food.

After dessert we began our discussion of "Scarlet Feather" by Maeve Binchy. The book contained many characters, some interesting, some hateful, some mean and others loving, caring, resourceful or clever. Take your pick there were a bunch.  Most enjoyed the book but agreed that there were too many characters and some could have been eliminated without detriment to the story. Grace quizzed us on the book which I believe we did fairly well. The discussion then went in several directions but as always was lively and fun.

Next month we will meet at my house and read "Angela's Ashes" by Frank McCourt.  There are several copies at the Martinsburg Public Library. 

I would like to remind everyone that if you can not attend a meeting, please contact the hostess to let them know you are not going to be there.  Also, if you are finished reading the book and wish to pass it along, either send a comment in the blog or send an email to the group.

Enjoy the book and see you in November.
KAthy G