September Recap

Dear Hardcovers and Hangovers,

A big thank you to Karin for hosting a lovely evening.  We enjoyed a delightful meal of pork and roasted veggies…yummy!!  We were down a few members and missed Sarah, Ellen, Amy.  However, we did have an honorary member attend….Charli’s mom!  As always, love seeing Jean. 

We spent quite a bit of the evening chit chatting and catching up.  Overall the book, Beautiful Ruins, received mixed reviews.  Some were still working on finishing it and others had read it some time ago so it was hard to remember all the details.  Personally, I found the book full of interesting characters, a descriptive setting and intriguing plot line.  Sometimes the alternating chapters proved to be confusing for some.  We loved Pasquale.  We laughed at his big dreams of the tennis court on the cliff (balls in the ocean).  Found Dee Moray a sympathetic character.  Michael Dean was a love hate character.  Liked Claire and hated her boyfriend (why was she keeping him around?)!  Found the insertion of Liz Taylor and Richard Burton to be a cool factor.  We did have trouble remembering how Alvis (the writer) and Dee became a couple.  Love the side story of Shane and his pitch of the Donner Party.  Hollywood and Italy provided a great backdrop for this story. 

I was feeling a bit under the weather so I failed to take notes, so unfortunately this recap is short on details of the night.  We look forward to seeing everyone at Ellen’s to discuss Orphan Train. 

Cheers,
Jenn

 

July Recap

Hello Hardcovers and Hangovers,

What a lovely summer evening we had a Susan’s. Ellen even dressed up for the evening in her practical and fashionable black dress! Thank you to Susan and Amy for coordinating a delicious meal….awesome.  We missed you Sara and Allison and look forward to seeing you both this fall.  Here is a quick recap of the evening:

The Art of Hearing Heartbeats

Different country and culture (Burma).

Inspirational!!!

Incredible use of senses.

Good character development,

Hated how Tin Win just left his American family – really couldn’t he just tell his adult children he was seeking the love of his life after all these years?

Great descriptive language,

Loved how Julie got her personal history though the narration from as we learn brother.

Nothing got Mi Mi down!!

Liked when Tin Win lived in the nunnery.

A Light Between the Oceans

What would you do?
Felt like you could be on both side of the moral dilemma.
Tom was trying to make Izzy happy even by breaking his own moral code.
Izzy could always manipulate Tom.
Love Lighthouses!! ….but mercury poisoning!
Majority had a hard time sympathizing with the real mother. 
Many felt for the sister as she struggled to help Hannah but her heart broke for the child.
Victims of circumstance.
Izzy felt the baby was a sign from God, given the time period this makes sense. 
Time elapse and it’s too late…a commonality in both books. 

The number one take away from the evening:  Ellen:  “You need to take your meds everyday Marrie, everyday!!” 

I won’t even get into the other issues that plagued some of us that evening!!

Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter is up next.  See you all at Karin’s.

Jenn

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

May 29, 2013 - Sarah's house
Awesome meal - 1940's style - Sarah, please send us the recipe for that salad!!

Great book - enjoyed by all.  Much discussion on how we never realized about the war in the Pacific vs the war in Europe.  Prisoner of war - the toll it takes.

Great handouts!!

Fun chit chat among us girls...

* What would you do for a peanut butter and tuna sandwich (who was the one who liked those??)

* Space sticks (ok - only three of us really remembered them) and wash it down with Tang

* Amy's son - 'Garage doors, Tweezers, Phone Cords.... oh my!'

* New Baby in the Hawrylciw house


Next meetings - 
- July 8th - Amy's
- August 14th - Karin's

Schedule of future meetings (subject to change)
- September             Susan
- October                 Ellen
- November             Jennifer
- December             Should we schedule a girls night for fun?

2014
- January                 Allison
- February               Marrie
- March                   Sarah
- April                     Karin
- May                      Amy
- June                      Susan
- July                       Charlie
- August                  Ellen
- September             Jennifer
- October                 Allison
- November             Marrie
- December             ?????

The Winter Sea - April 8, 2013

The dinner was fantastic - thank you Marrie!  We all voted to have dinner at Marrie's every time.  Not sure that Boo and Sophie would approve.....

We all enjoyed the book - interesting fun facts and discussions.

• Charli was a slush
• Mary has genetic memory.
• Uncle Donald knew much of the family history
• Yummy Graham, Creepy Stuie
• Book made Susan cold
• Karin wants to be a writer (but don't tell anyone)
• Amy would do it in a heartbeat (notes not that good - not sure what she would do)
• Scotland good, Italy better
• England - good pubs, butter sandwiches and warm beer (yum)
• Jenn needs visuals on everything - really?
• Charli didn't like the looks of it - so she didn't eat it.  (too much wine - what was i thinking...?)
• Cracker tasting at Marrie's - free for all
• Action item:  Karin to set up wine tasting 
• What's a weekend?
• Susan went through the trash for Emily and Patrick
• Marrie's dog ate her retainer
• Next meeting at Sarah's - May 29th
• Amy's on June 20th - The art of hearing heartbeats, Jan-Philipp Sendker

Until next month....

The Secrets of Mary Bowser

Happy New Year! 

For our first book of 2013 Charli has picked The Secrets of Mary Bowser by Lois Leveen.

From the author's website you can find discussion questions in addition to some other links. 

I am looking forward to reconvening this month to see you all, share in some discussions and drink some great wine. 

Cheers,
Jenn

November Meeting Notes

Dear H&H,

A very quick recap from Gone Girl….

Charli asked why would hubby wait 3 hours to call the police?

Marrie said her husband would wait…ditto for Ellen. 

Karin said her husband would be calling everyone in the address book!

Marrie loved the character development. 

A part of Ellen had to admire Amy.

Ellen thought the author has to be totally screwed up because the book was so well thought out….

Ellen felt sorry for Amy when the couple from the cabin took her money. 

What about Amy’s therapist parents and writing Amazing Amy…parents just as screwy as she is.  Susan disliked the mother, but kinda liked the father. 

Who’s old enough for ‘Blue Books’???  (i.e. ‘Blue Book Boys’).

Overall this book grabbed you from the beginning and never let go.  It was so twisted that it almost became believable…if that makes sense. 

I just finished one of Flynn’s early work, Dark Places, and although not as well written (her writing has gotten better) it was an enjoyable read..in a dark and twisted way :-)

Next up is Charli’s pick, The Secrets of Mary Bowser by Lois Leveen. 
Happy New Year!

Jenn