March and April have come and gone with successful book club meetings. I've been crazy busy and preparing for a move up the California coastline to San Francisco.
In March, we met at the home of Kristen to discuss The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Kristen did such a great job hosting, with delicious caramel cake and mud pie as well as yummy black and white cookies for each of us. We all loved this book so much and had a very interesting discussion on racism and the changing of times....and the lack of change as well. It was a great night of new friends and good conversation.
April brought us to the newly remodeled home of Mandy to discuss The Ladies Auxiliary by Tova Mirvis. Mandy blessed us with some Jewish traditional foods and culture. It was delicious. Challah bread, an almond spread, a cream cheese noodle dish (made by Lorraine), bagels and other great treats. We seemed to be divided on this book....with like and dislike. Maybe it hit a little too close to home for some of us. Did you see yourself reflected in one of women in this book? I personally loved the book and found it wonderfully interesting to learn about the rites of another religion.
May will be Moloka'i by Alan Brennert and we will be meeting at Jennie's home at 7 pm. Hope to see you there.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
February
Cari hosted our February book club in her home. It was a great night and another "packed" house. Cari served beef...which was a very prominent food in the book (Half-Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls). That wasn't all, there was also delicious cheesy potatoes, fresh fruit with dipping chocolate and sugar cookies in the shape of cacti and boots.
Conversation often went back to Jeannette's first novel, The Glass Castle (one of our book club favorites). We also got to hear about the author's recent visit to California from Kristen and Chari, who were able to go hear her speak.
The consensus on this book was positive.
March's book is The Help by Kathryn Stockett and will be hosted by Kristen on the 31st at 7 pm.
April's book will be The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver and will be hosted by Mandy.
Conversation often went back to Jeannette's first novel, The Glass Castle (one of our book club favorites). We also got to hear about the author's recent visit to California from Kristen and Chari, who were able to go hear her speak.
The consensus on this book was positive.
March's book is The Help by Kathryn Stockett and will be hosted by Kristen on the 31st at 7 pm.
April's book will be The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver and will be hosted by Mandy.
Our January Trip
I was happy to host the book club for the month of January. The book was Nicolas Sparks memoir, Three Weeks With My Brother.
It was wonderful to have 14 or so women attending and noshing on foods from 11 different countries (places that Nicolas and his brother visited in the book). Since it has been a while, I will do my best to remember all that I made....here goes: corn chips and guacamole from Peru, alfajores de dulce de leche (shortbread cookies filled with caramel) from Argentina, empanadas from Chile, fresh fruit from the Polynesian Islands, Lamingtons (chocolate and coconut covered pound cake squares) from Australia, Kolo Dobo (small round bread crackers) from Ethiopia, gummy buys from Cambodia and hot dogs wrapped in fresh bread from Norway. Of course the water was labeled in red with "don't drink the water."
We had a great discussion about the book, about how we seemed to associate well with Nicolas and even like him a little more after reading about his childhood and history. We talked until about 10 p.m., which may be a new "late night" record.
All in all, it was a great evening due to all you lovely women who continue to come devotedly.
It was wonderful to have 14 or so women attending and noshing on foods from 11 different countries (places that Nicolas and his brother visited in the book). Since it has been a while, I will do my best to remember all that I made....here goes: corn chips and guacamole from Peru, alfajores de dulce de leche (shortbread cookies filled with caramel) from Argentina, empanadas from Chile, fresh fruit from the Polynesian Islands, Lamingtons (chocolate and coconut covered pound cake squares) from Australia, Kolo Dobo (small round bread crackers) from Ethiopia, gummy buys from Cambodia and hot dogs wrapped in fresh bread from Norway. Of course the water was labeled in red with "don't drink the water."
We had a great discussion about the book, about how we seemed to associate well with Nicolas and even like him a little more after reading about his childhood and history. We talked until about 10 p.m., which may be a new "late night" record.
All in all, it was a great evening due to all you lovely women who continue to come devotedly.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Updated January Locale
A slight change to January meeting location.
Cari Ann and I (Karalea) will be swapping months.
I will host the January 26th meeting at 7 p.m., my home, the book is Three Weeks with My Brother by Nicolas Sparks.
Cari Ann will host the February 23rd meeting (Half Broke Horses by Jeanette Walls)
Can't wait to see everyone!!! Please come, read or un-read.
Cari Ann and I (Karalea) will be swapping months.
I will host the January 26th meeting at 7 p.m., my home, the book is Three Weeks with My Brother by Nicolas Sparks.
Cari Ann will host the February 23rd meeting (Half Broke Horses by Jeanette Walls)
Can't wait to see everyone!!! Please come, read or un-read.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
The Lost Symbol....and a tamale...
Lorainne Beckett graciously hosted our book club meeting tonight. She is always a delight to visit with. Her home is immaculate and her decor is so unique. I love it. Thank you, Lorainne for welcoming us into your home. Dan Brown's new novel, The Lost Symbol had no clever food references...and so, as Lorainne put it..."I decided to make whatever I wanted!" And I know I'm not the only one who is thankful that you did! Delicious and beautiful enchiladas, two types of tamales, lemonade, limeade, ice water and a whole tray of assorted cookies to choose from. The perfect spread. And it must be noted that the plates she used were paper...but looked so beautiful, I thought they were glass. Blue and white with an Italian flare.
Book discussion was a mixture of religion, Dan Brown's seeming desire to "un-earth" the secrets within religions/societies, the shock of how the entire book only spanned one day in the life of Robert Langdon, and some it's "unbelievable" qualities. I must say though...this man does do his research and I am so thankful for the small peek into other religions, cultures and ideas. It was an experience in expansion of ideas and thoughts. Thanks, Dan. Oh, and thanks to Chari for giving the tutorial on the Kindle. Christmas lists are all being revised as we speak!
January's book will be Three Weeks With My Brother by Nicolas Sparks the meeting will be at Cari Ann Olsen's home. Here is a little synopsis to get you hooked:
As moving as his bestselling works of fiction, Nicholas Sparks's unique memoir, written with his brother, chronicles the life-affirming journey of two brothers bound by memories, both humorous and tragicIn January 2003, Nicholas Sparks and his brother, Micah, set off on a three-week trip around the globe. It was to mark a milestone in their lives, for at thirty-seven and thirty-eight respectively, they were now the only surviving members of their family. Against the backdrop of the wonders of the world and often overtaken by their feelings, daredevil Micah and the more serious, introspective Nicholas recalled their rambunctious childhood adventures and the tragedies that tested their faith. And in the process, they discovered startling truths about loss, love, and hope.Narrated with irrepressible humor and rare candor, and including personal photos, THREE WEEKS WITH MY BROTHER reminds us to embrace life with all its uncertainties...and most of all, to cherish the joyful times, both small and momentous, and the wonderful people who make them possible.
February will be Half Broke Horses: A True Life Novel by (one of our favorite authors) Jeanette Walls (The Glass Castle). Karalea Richards will be hosting that month (that's me! yippee!)
Book discussion was a mixture of religion, Dan Brown's seeming desire to "un-earth" the secrets within religions/societies, the shock of how the entire book only spanned one day in the life of Robert Langdon, and some it's "unbelievable" qualities. I must say though...this man does do his research and I am so thankful for the small peek into other religions, cultures and ideas. It was an experience in expansion of ideas and thoughts. Thanks, Dan. Oh, and thanks to Chari for giving the tutorial on the Kindle. Christmas lists are all being revised as we speak!
January's book will be Three Weeks With My Brother by Nicolas Sparks the meeting will be at Cari Ann Olsen's home. Here is a little synopsis to get you hooked:
As moving as his bestselling works of fiction, Nicholas Sparks's unique memoir, written with his brother, chronicles the life-affirming journey of two brothers bound by memories, both humorous and tragicIn January 2003, Nicholas Sparks and his brother, Micah, set off on a three-week trip around the globe. It was to mark a milestone in their lives, for at thirty-seven and thirty-eight respectively, they were now the only surviving members of their family. Against the backdrop of the wonders of the world and often overtaken by their feelings, daredevil Micah and the more serious, introspective Nicholas recalled their rambunctious childhood adventures and the tragedies that tested their faith. And in the process, they discovered startling truths about loss, love, and hope.Narrated with irrepressible humor and rare candor, and including personal photos, THREE WEEKS WITH MY BROTHER reminds us to embrace life with all its uncertainties...and most of all, to cherish the joyful times, both small and momentous, and the wonderful people who make them possible.
February will be Half Broke Horses: A True Life Novel by (one of our favorite authors) Jeanette Walls (The Glass Castle). Karalea Richards will be hosting that month (that's me! yippee!)
Alchemy and Potato Peel Pie
Alchemy and Potato Peel Pie, they go together, right? Well, if they don't they are going to be forced to co-exist in this post. Life has gotten more crazy with school starting (three kids in should have given me MORE time, right? Not so.) and a new church calling filling up many of my hours....alas I have gotten behind yet again. So here we go. Recap.
Our September book club meeting was held at Simone's home and I am still mentally savoring the delicious Brazilian delicacies that came from that woman's kitchen. Let me just say....sweetened condensed milk. Oh....heavenly goodness. Simone went out of her way preparing food from her homeland and i (no, we) appreciated it so much. Thank you, Simone.
On a side note (that is how the book discussion felt, after the food!), the book, The Alchemist, by Paulo Cohelo was discussed and got...oh, probably a 50% approval rating. Some seemed to feel that it did not end properly, or there was confusion about the general story/moral of the book. Those who did like it, seemed to rave and maybe...just maybe...convinced the non-believers that this was a book worth reading...and owning. Let's just say it drew a different crowd (Tom and Paul). All in all, my memories of this book club night were filled with sweetness. I'm not sure if that was the sweetened condensed milk, or Simone's hospitality or just being together with good friends discussing books and life. Probably the whole mix.
October meeting was at Betty Richardson's home with her co-host, Shauna Orton. Again, I must start with the food. A savory sweet potato dish, sweet potato fries, hummus, chocolate "pringles-shaped" chips, apple cider, and more....oh, note to self..."don't eat on book club Tuesday...food too good to pass up." So delicious.
Discussion ranged from the Nazi's taking over Gurnsey island to the lost art of letter writing. Questions like, "Would you send your children off the island for an undetermined amount of time for their own safety?" were posed. It was a very interesting discussion. A great night. (A windy night, if you remember....howling wind blowing outside as we all sat warm and toasty inside Betty's beautiful home). Thanks to Shauna (for baking and keeping us on track with the discussion) and to Betty for offering her home, hospitality....and hummus.
Our September book club meeting was held at Simone's home and I am still mentally savoring the delicious Brazilian delicacies that came from that woman's kitchen. Let me just say....sweetened condensed milk. Oh....heavenly goodness. Simone went out of her way preparing food from her homeland and i (no, we) appreciated it so much. Thank you, Simone.
On a side note (that is how the book discussion felt, after the food!), the book, The Alchemist, by Paulo Cohelo was discussed and got...oh, probably a 50% approval rating. Some seemed to feel that it did not end properly, or there was confusion about the general story/moral of the book. Those who did like it, seemed to rave and maybe...just maybe...convinced the non-believers that this was a book worth reading...and owning. Let's just say it drew a different crowd (Tom and Paul). All in all, my memories of this book club night were filled with sweetness. I'm not sure if that was the sweetened condensed milk, or Simone's hospitality or just being together with good friends discussing books and life. Probably the whole mix.
October meeting was at Betty Richardson's home with her co-host, Shauna Orton. Again, I must start with the food. A savory sweet potato dish, sweet potato fries, hummus, chocolate "pringles-shaped" chips, apple cider, and more....oh, note to self..."don't eat on book club Tuesday...food too good to pass up." So delicious.
Discussion ranged from the Nazi's taking over Gurnsey island to the lost art of letter writing. Questions like, "Would you send your children off the island for an undetermined amount of time for their own safety?" were posed. It was a very interesting discussion. A great night. (A windy night, if you remember....howling wind blowing outside as we all sat warm and toasty inside Betty's beautiful home). Thanks to Shauna (for baking and keeping us on track with the discussion) and to Betty for offering her home, hospitality....and hummus.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Who Did It?
Book club for August was at Peggy's house and she made it a night to remember! We read The Conspiracy of Paper by David Liss. About half of us finished the book (not me...only got halfway through...it's a harder book to get into and read...but I'm still plugging along...and enjoying it...)
Peg had so much good food for us to enjoy. Chips and salsa, fresh fruit, baked brie with nuts and brown sugar, crackers, fondue and fruit, cheesecake, all sorts of fancy drinks to choose from....amazing. Everything was delicious and beautifully presented (thanks Bonny for helping her out with set up!)
Discussion about the book was light and interesting. Most seemed to like the book, but not love it.
Our next book will be The Alchemist by Paulo Cohelo and it will be at Simone's home on September 22nd. Brazilian food will be served and bikinis are optional. Just kidding. Betty and Shauna will co-host in October and we will read The Gurnsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows.
Peg had so much good food for us to enjoy. Chips and salsa, fresh fruit, baked brie with nuts and brown sugar, crackers, fondue and fruit, cheesecake, all sorts of fancy drinks to choose from....amazing. Everything was delicious and beautifully presented (thanks Bonny for helping her out with set up!)
Discussion about the book was light and interesting. Most seemed to like the book, but not love it.
Our next book will be The Alchemist by Paulo Cohelo and it will be at Simone's home on September 22nd. Brazilian food will be served and bikinis are optional. Just kidding. Betty and Shauna will co-host in October and we will read The Gurnsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows.
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