May 19 Meeting at Sharon's

Välkommen!
We are greeted by the Swedish flag as we enter Sharon's home.
After our usual catching up on the events of the past month and having satiated our appetites, we adjoin to the living room to discuss "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" by Steig Larsson. Sharon poses several questions dealing with the characters in the book, namely Mikael Blomqvist, Erica Berger, Martin, Harriet and Lisbeth.  Lisbeth it is agreed was the main character and a character she was.  I was disturbed by the extent of the brutal revenge she inflicts upon Nils Bjurman her so called guardian, but he did indeed deserve it.  He was a pig!

Lisbeth is a strong and odd character and it is obvious by the ending, that this is not the last we will see of her.  Al joined us in the discussion and added his view of this book with the recommendation to continue reading the entire three book series -  The Girl Who Played with Fire and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest.

Next month we will meet at Ellen's home and read "Safe Haven" by Nicholas Sparks who also wrote "The Notebook".

Louisa drew our attention to a used book web site call Alibris.com where you can purchase books for as little as 99¢ plus shipping.
Friday, I will drop off our banner.  There is a reception for "The Festival of Banners 2011" on Friday May 27th at 7pm at Boydville.  I'll post details tomorrow. 

Enjoy the sun when it makes it's next appearance.

God kväll!

KAthy G

April 28th Meeting at Pat's

Despite having surgery on Monday, Pat invited us into her home for a wonderful night of companionship, discussion and of course, food.  After we had more than enough to eat, Pat started discussion on her book "Promises to Keep",  She explained her job as Navigator for Hospice and how it related to the book.   Everyone contributed their experience of dealing with death since we've all been there.  At our age, I don't think anyone hasn't had someone close die, or had to deal with cancer.  It was a very positive discussion and truly a fact of life.  Pat offered several books, some  that dealt the dying process and guide for caregivers, and others on  becoming truly happy. Then Pat asked if we could go "vegan" to improve our chances of beating cancer.  No meat, eggs, dairy products, butter and all other animal -derived ingredients.   That drove us to the dessert table. Somehow a life without good rich desserts doesn't sound appealing.

I brought in the banner Alice and I painted for the Downtown Martinsburg banner project with the Good Time Girl Book and Dinner Club theme.

We also had a surprise visit by Roe's little sister Theresa and her daughter Jen who are heading out to WVU to check it out.  That made things very lively.

Next month we will read "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" by Stieg Larsson and meet at Sharon's house on May 19.

(Pat give me your book suggested list and I will post them on the blog.)

Good reading and see you in three weeks.

KAthy G

March 17th Meeting at Alice's

We show up. We listen. We try to laugh. 
We also eat. We talk. We have a great time.

Tonight we met at Alice's home and are greeted by FREE books from Alice's collection. After catching up on the events of the past month, we dine and then start discussion on "A Short Guide to a Happy Life". Alice gives us a brief biography of Anna Quindlen and explains her connection to this author.  The book is filled with a number of quotations and everyone picks their favorite. The book also contains photos and we pick out several that strike our fancy.  Alice and Louisa brought out their personal photos which were wonderful. It was a little book with a simple message.

Alice and I pass around the designs we made for the Downtown Martinsburg Banner Project using the Good Time Girls Dinner / Bookclub as our inspiration.  We will paint at my house and I will let you know when we need any help for this project.  If there is something particular you want to do, let me know.

Next month we will meet at Pat Fogel's home on April 28 -- the 4th Thursday of the month.  We will read  "Promises to Keep" by Jane Green.  Please note the author's name because there are several books with that title.

Erin Go Bragh

KAthy G

February 17 Meeting at Rosemary's

OK It's Feb and it's winter and it's 70° today, so I just had to wear my flip-flops to bookclub tonight at Roe's house.

Rosemary greeted us at the door and the festivities began.  Our socialization continued into dinner which was wonderful.  I never should have stopped describing our dinners because they are probably the best part of our "bookclub".  There I said it. After catching up on the activites over the past month Roe gets us back to the reason we are here - to discuss the book "The Mermaid Chair".  Everyone nodded that they liked the book and the discussion commenced.  I thought the affair with Brother Thomas a bit fanciful and most agreed, but as Pam mentioned, it made for interesting reading. The book invoked descussion into marriage, affairs, family and mother daughter realtionship. It ended with a relistic premise that Jessie and Hugh will try to go forward with their marriage. The meeting ended with dessert and conversation.

Alice handed out copies of "A Short Guide to a Happy Life" by Anna Quindlen for next month's bookclub meeting. We will meet at her house on "St Patty's Day" -- March 17.

Enjoy this wonderful weather while it last and see you all in a month if not sooner.

Please note the changes in the Reading List, ie Sharon and Ellen swapped months.

KAthy G

January 20 Meeting at Edna's

Happy New Year !!!!


This is the second year we are threatened with a snow storm while heading out to Edna's.  But it IS winter and we are prepared.  Ellen brought the tank and we can also hunker down at Edna's should we get snowed in.  Glenny's going to love that one.


After a wonderful meal, Edna asks if all liked the book and starts us out with question 1 on page 4 - the count down to Eddie's "final minutes left on earth".  It's a little book but we are really going to dissect this book. We discuss the five people Eddie meet and why.  Pam suggests that this book is similar to "It's a Wonderful Life" in that Eddie doesn't think his life is important until he is shown how his life effects others. The book bring out instances in our lives and the lives of others that are important.  Roe shares with us the story of her uncle who was a prison of war in WWII. We had a lot of discussion with the statement "all parents damage their children. It cannot be helped."  I think the word damage, a little too strong . All in all we have a very informative discussion and are glad to be a part of this dinner, I mean bookclub.  A surprise birthday cake is brought out for me and then the "pièce de résistance" -- Edna's beautiful candy apples are presented.


Next month we will meet at Rosemary's home and read  "The Mermaid Chair" by Sue Monk Kidd.


As a reminder, all the books for this year are posted in the blog.
We missed ya, Linda, Pat and Louisa.
See ya next month and happy reading.


KAthy G

November 18 Meeting at Kathy's

First order of business was the announcement of the best book for 2009 - 2010:

#1 - "The Help" by Katheryne Stockett

#2 - "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer

And now for what everyone describes as "the book" – "Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers" by Mary Roach. I recommended this book, first because it's about something real.  I listed all the books we've read so far, and find most are fiction or fiction based on fact.  Only 3 books were non - fiction and so I set out to remendy this.  The second reason I suggested this book is because I found it very informative.  I learned things I didn't know before and appreciated all those whose job it is to better humanity through jobs which others might find distasteful.  Several members agreed with me and several disagreed.  Alice said she couldn’t read it and found it unsettling.  Linda didn't care for it based on life experiences. As always we had a very – dare I say “lively” discussion and all had something to say.  I would really like to know how those who didn’t attend viewed the book but alas that is not to be.  Like the author, I did change my mind about donating my body to science but do believe that donating organs is extremely beneficial.

Next meeting will be at Edna’s home on Jan 20th and read "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" by Mitch Albom.

I wish you all a happy and healthy Thanksgiving and will see you all at the “Purple Iris” Girls get together that Grace has organized on Dec 2.

Be well,

KAthy G