Book club for the month of May was at Kristen's house (her very beautiful house, with hilly tree views, painted white brick fireplace and fabulous wood floors!)
So, besides the comfortable setting, the spread was amazing. Kristen went all out with white bagged cracker jacks and peanuts, mini hot dogs, pizza, caramel apples, and coolers of root beer and water. Everything was surrounded by old baseballs, gloves, books, and photos. It was so clever and well done. Thank you, Kristen for all the effort and attention to detail. I appreciate that!
Discussion over the book was enlightening. The majority thought this was a good book (I had a hard time with it -lack of interest in following sporting teams and politics has a lot to do with that-) But all of us had a favorite quote, which we shared...leading the topics of discussion to range from "why don't our children call adults by their titles of Mrs. or Ms., but rather by first names?" to allowing our children time to be kids and giving them the opportunities to fail and lose (for their own good!). It was an enjoyable night. Thank you to Kristen,again, for being our gracious hostess.
Chari brought us a few book choices and we ended up picking "Peace Like a River" by Leif Enger (which I do believe was her master plan for us!) We will meet on June 23rd at Chari's home to discuss. Enjoy this book! It's a good one!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
UPDATE
I am a few months behind, but here I am now, updating, playing catch up, repenting...whatever you want to call it.
Last month we met at Mandy's home for a discussion about the book Sarah's Key. By hearsay, I know that it was fantastically wonderful (no surprise there! Mandy always throws a great party). Many attended (I think Mandy said 14! Wow!!) Sorry that I can't elaborate, I was sick that night and was probably lying in bed, dreaming of book club with Vick's smeared under my nose. But, thank you Mandy for hosting and for suggesting such a great book. I loved that one!
April book club was hosted by Melissa C. The book we discussed was The History of Love (which we all decided looks fabulous on our nightstands with it's gentle soothing aqua cover). We talked about the in's and out's of this great book, which held mystery and love, childhood and old age. It was beautifully written and clever. I think a lot of us came away with the desire to re-read this one with a new perspective. I know I did. On to more important matters: the food. What a spread Melissa laid before us. Apples with honey, pastries, trail mix, water, lemonade, sandwiches, soup, baklava (I probably forgot a few other things, but you get the picture....smorgasbord!) Everything was delicious and presented so beautifully. Mandy brought the soup and it was so good. Thanks to Mandy for her contribution. Thanks to Melissa for going over the top, the extra mile, above and beyond...you get it. It was amazing.
Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, May 26th at Kristen's home. We will be reading and discussing "Big Russ" by Tim Russert. See you there.
Last month we met at Mandy's home for a discussion about the book Sarah's Key. By hearsay, I know that it was fantastically wonderful (no surprise there! Mandy always throws a great party). Many attended (I think Mandy said 14! Wow!!) Sorry that I can't elaborate, I was sick that night and was probably lying in bed, dreaming of book club with Vick's smeared under my nose. But, thank you Mandy for hosting and for suggesting such a great book. I loved that one!
April book club was hosted by Melissa C. The book we discussed was The History of Love (which we all decided looks fabulous on our nightstands with it's gentle soothing aqua cover). We talked about the in's and out's of this great book, which held mystery and love, childhood and old age. It was beautifully written and clever. I think a lot of us came away with the desire to re-read this one with a new perspective. I know I did. On to more important matters: the food. What a spread Melissa laid before us. Apples with honey, pastries, trail mix, water, lemonade, sandwiches, soup, baklava (I probably forgot a few other things, but you get the picture....smorgasbord!) Everything was delicious and presented so beautifully. Mandy brought the soup and it was so good. Thanks to Mandy for her contribution. Thanks to Melissa for going over the top, the extra mile, above and beyond...you get it. It was amazing.
Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, May 26th at Kristen's home. We will be reading and discussing "Big Russ" by Tim Russert. See you there.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Already
I'd like to thank myself for hostessing the book club last month. (just kidding) We did have a great time discussing Marley & Me by John Grogan. Food was had, dog collars and squeeky toys were handed out. All was good.
We will be meeting at Mary Lou's house tonight, February 24th at 7 p.m. We will be discussing "The Giver" by Lois Lowry. Please come, read or unread, we'd love to share your company.
We will be meeting at Mary Lou's house tonight, February 24th at 7 p.m. We will be discussing "The Giver" by Lois Lowry. Please come, read or unread, we'd love to share your company.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Running
I am running behind, but that just seems to go along with this time of year, doesn't it?! Okay, first things first...THANK YOU to Bonnie for Hosting in October for The Last Lecture discussion. Of course the food was delish and the commentary on the book was teary and heartfelt. It was a great evening.
Second, THANK YOU to Lorraine for hosting last night for Tallgrass. Again, great food. (I am salivating over the mere thought of the apple pie). Lorraine also had a few questions to pose, accompanied by adorable gifts for those of us who remembered the details. I think the consensus for this book was positive. We talked until after nine and left with full bellies and happy hearts.
Housekeeping. We did talk about what to read next and came to a decision. We will read Marley & Me for a January meeting at Karalea's house (4th Tuesday at 7 pm). We also decided for February we would read A Town Like Alice and Mary Lou will host. Enjoy your holidays. See you in January.
Second, THANK YOU to Lorraine for hosting last night for Tallgrass. Again, great food. (I am salivating over the mere thought of the apple pie). Lorraine also had a few questions to pose, accompanied by adorable gifts for those of us who remembered the details. I think the consensus for this book was positive. We talked until after nine and left with full bellies and happy hearts.
Housekeeping. We did talk about what to read next and came to a decision. We will read Marley & Me for a January meeting at Karalea's house (4th Tuesday at 7 pm). We also decided for February we would read A Town Like Alice and Mary Lou will host. Enjoy your holidays. See you in January.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Take a Little Trip
What an enjoyable evening at Melissa's home tonight. Number one, her new house is looking so great and number two...THE FOOD! Always a highlight for my blogging, the food for this book club was wonderful. Melissa put together a few scrumptious dishes from the various places our dear, sweet Undine visits in this month's read, Custom of the Country. She tempted us with a French nicoise salad and creamy goat cheese with crackers, Italian bruschetta with thin slices of baugette and a dreamy New York style cheesecake. Not to mention fresh fruit and veg and iced sparkling/still waters. It was heavenly. Thank you so much to Melissa, who worked so hard to make everything so lovely. Huge success.
As for the conversation, Melissa also had some great trivia questions for us to answer and Ring Pop candies (that we could have "re-set" any time) as prizes. Our discussion included the topic of never being satisfied with what you have in the present in your life. We discussed our relation to Undine which seems to border on pure, unabashed hatred and maybe, sometimes, fear of similarity. Overall, I believe the club's feeling for this work of historical literature was "appreciation."
Please note the following change: Our October read will be The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. Here is a little teaser:
"We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand."
--Randy Pausch
A lot of professors give talks titled "The Last Lecture." Professors are asked to consider their demise and to ruminate on what matters most to them. And while they speak, audiences can't help but mull the same question: What wisdom would we impart to the world if we knew it was our last chance? If we had to vanish tomorrow, what would we want as our legacy?
When Randy Pausch, a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon, was asked to give such a lecture, he didn't have to imagine it as his last, since he had recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer. But the lecture he gave--"Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams"--wasn't about dying. It was about the importance of overcoming obstacles, of enabling the dreams of others, of seizing every moment (because "time is all you have...and you may find one day that you have less than you think"). It was a summation of everything Randy had come to believe. It was about living.
In this book, Randy Pausch has combined the humor, inspiration and intelligence that made his lecture such a phenomenon and given it an indelible form. It is a book that will be shared for generations to come.
This book club meeting will be at Peggy's house on Tuesday, October 27th. In November we will be reading Tallgrass by Sandra Dallas and meeting at Lorraine's home. Happy reading!
As for the conversation, Melissa also had some great trivia questions for us to answer and Ring Pop candies (that we could have "re-set" any time) as prizes. Our discussion included the topic of never being satisfied with what you have in the present in your life. We discussed our relation to Undine which seems to border on pure, unabashed hatred and maybe, sometimes, fear of similarity. Overall, I believe the club's feeling for this work of historical literature was "appreciation."
Please note the following change: Our October read will be The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. Here is a little teaser:
"We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand."
--Randy Pausch
A lot of professors give talks titled "The Last Lecture." Professors are asked to consider their demise and to ruminate on what matters most to them. And while they speak, audiences can't help but mull the same question: What wisdom would we impart to the world if we knew it was our last chance? If we had to vanish tomorrow, what would we want as our legacy?
When Randy Pausch, a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon, was asked to give such a lecture, he didn't have to imagine it as his last, since he had recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer. But the lecture he gave--"Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams"--wasn't about dying. It was about the importance of overcoming obstacles, of enabling the dreams of others, of seizing every moment (because "time is all you have...and you may find one day that you have less than you think"). It was a summation of everything Randy had come to believe. It was about living.
In this book, Randy Pausch has combined the humor, inspiration and intelligence that made his lecture such a phenomenon and given it an indelible form. It is a book that will be shared for generations to come.
This book club meeting will be at Peggy's house on Tuesday, October 27th. In November we will be reading Tallgrass by Sandra Dallas and meeting at Lorraine's home. Happy reading!
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Three Cups of Tea
I must say that book club here in Torrance is exceeding my highest expectations. Cia hosted our most recent discussion group and it was perfectly lovely to be gathered together in her beautiful home. She prepared some amazing dishes for us to sample, including tandoori chicken, naan and white bean dip, dates with feta, fresh figs, fresh strawberries with homemade whip cream, pistachio shortbread cookies, almond cake and an almost flour-less chocolate torte. Sparkling water and raspberry herbal tea were there to wash all this goodness down into our happy little tummies! Thank you to Cia for her hospitality. Amazing.
Now, we know that Cia spends her summers abroad and while gone she is visiting family, riding bikes, chasing Thane around the train station and putting in grass with her own two hands, needless to say, there was little time to fit in our humble little book club read. However, Janice stepped up to the challenge of leading the discussion of our book. She did a great job of coming up with engaging questions that drew us back into this great book, about a great guy, trying his best to do a great service. Of course we had to be quizzed, and of course there were enticing prizes to be had! Diana and Kristen walked out with two very fun gifts for being so smart with their reading! Great job girls. I think that the overall feeling for the book was positive. I also think that after we started discussing the book, some opinions may have been changed from, "it was all right" to "that really was a great story!"
Now our next book is Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton. It is another different read for this group and I challenge each of you to get it done! Read it! Expand your repertoire! We will be meeting at Melissa's home the 4th Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Now, we know that Cia spends her summers abroad and while gone she is visiting family, riding bikes, chasing Thane around the train station and putting in grass with her own two hands, needless to say, there was little time to fit in our humble little book club read. However, Janice stepped up to the challenge of leading the discussion of our book. She did a great job of coming up with engaging questions that drew us back into this great book, about a great guy, trying his best to do a great service. Of course we had to be quizzed, and of course there were enticing prizes to be had! Diana and Kristen walked out with two very fun gifts for being so smart with their reading! Great job girls. I think that the overall feeling for the book was positive. I also think that after we started discussing the book, some opinions may have been changed from, "it was all right" to "that really was a great story!"
Now our next book is Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton. It is another different read for this group and I challenge each of you to get it done! Read it! Expand your repertoire! We will be meeting at Melissa's home the 4th Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Susan's Amish Extravaganza
I have been lackadaisical this last month on keeping the blog updated...mostly thinking that no one checks in on it. But for those of you who may check every now and again, here we go again!!
Book club in July was wonderful. Susan hosted the book The Covenant, by Beverly Lewis and she had a FULL house! Special welcome to Amy and Melissa, first-timers. Susan had a beautiful spread of food; cheese and crackers, peach cake, apple tart, fresh jam and homemade bread, and our new favorite water spiked with fruit and rosemary. It was amazing and tastefully done. We discussed this great book and general Amish culture, touching on similarities we shared with them and also the few things that seemed strange and shocking to us (wild teenage years!! with mom and dad turning the other cheek!)
We also discussed the next book choice and had some wonderful suggestions from all corners of the room...ranging from church books to classics and non-fiction. We settled on Three Cups of Tea, the story of Greg Mortensen for August, which will be hosted by Cia. We also decided that some of us would love to read One Tattered Angel by Blaine Yorgason. Oh, and for those of you who are feeling extra ambitious and want to skip ahead, we will be reading Custom of the Country in September, per Melissa's request. Apparently it is a "classic." I'm excited to expand...aren't you?
That is all for now. I am so thankful for the beautiful, intelligent women who come each month and hope that more will join us. It is always an enriching, fun evening and I can't imagine missing it!! Happy reading everyone!!
Book club in July was wonderful. Susan hosted the book The Covenant, by Beverly Lewis and she had a FULL house! Special welcome to Amy and Melissa, first-timers. Susan had a beautiful spread of food; cheese and crackers, peach cake, apple tart, fresh jam and homemade bread, and our new favorite water spiked with fruit and rosemary. It was amazing and tastefully done. We discussed this great book and general Amish culture, touching on similarities we shared with them and also the few things that seemed strange and shocking to us (wild teenage years!! with mom and dad turning the other cheek!)
We also discussed the next book choice and had some wonderful suggestions from all corners of the room...ranging from church books to classics and non-fiction. We settled on Three Cups of Tea, the story of Greg Mortensen for August, which will be hosted by Cia. We also decided that some of us would love to read One Tattered Angel by Blaine Yorgason. Oh, and for those of you who are feeling extra ambitious and want to skip ahead, we will be reading Custom of the Country in September, per Melissa's request. Apparently it is a "classic." I'm excited to expand...aren't you?
That is all for now. I am so thankful for the beautiful, intelligent women who come each month and hope that more will join us. It is always an enriching, fun evening and I can't imagine missing it!! Happy reading everyone!!
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