Long Overdue Update.....

Dear Hardcovers and Hangovers,

 

I know, I know, it’s been a while since I’ve updated the blog. A very quick recap as my notes are limited…hum, maybe too much wine??? But seriously, thank you to each hostess for a fantastic evening; we are always grateful for the warm meal, great libations, and stimulating conversation (sometime not on topic, but always fun!). 

Going way, way, way back….

1000 White Women

-good character development

-Sara could identify with the setting as she had just recently returned from vacation

-depiction of the Cheyenne Indians was well done

-complicated culture

-loved how the women came from totally different places

-Sue lost respect when the boy was shot

-a very believable text

-whisky scene was terrible and hard to deal with

The Sandlewood Tree

-beautifully descriptive

-flashbacks

-lesbian!  shocking!

-Adela, totally wrong for her time period

-parents, rich and stiff, Victorian

-Amy didn’t resonate with the characters

-ending was rushed, tied into a bow

The Fault in Our Stars

-well written, surprised the author is a man

-resistance to the book at first given its weighty topic

-Sue, a friend from school had recommended it

-Sara, had a good conversation with her daughter about the book

-Marrie, value to the story, peer pressure, bulling, beautiful story, reading for realize life, give empathy

-Karin, despite health issues the two were able to share their first kiss

-Amy, maturity at such a young time in their lives

-Marrie, connecting to how many of us have had hardship with our own children

Bread and Roses, Too

-got tired of reading about the strike

-Rosa’s angst got on Amy’s nerves

-Ellen felt for the baby brother, Ricky

-Susan really liked Jake

-Why give $$$ to the father???

-Father’s death a touching scene

-Susan likes how the women stuck together

-old man in VT, a big surprise

-teacher really cared but condescending, from two separate worlds, because she felt she could ‘save’ them

 Call the Midwife

I have no notes, but can say the group loved the book and Ellen finally redeemed herself (LMNOP)

 Thank you Susan for a wonderful meal and great evening.  There was a lot of sidebar conversation this evening, but confidentiality has me mum…although Matilda says we’re normal (she may rethink that later).

 
On to the book….

The Whip

-Ellen, a little disturbing, especially hubby and baby death scene!

-Marrie, Sugarfoot was Edmond!!!  Shooting her lover, OMG

-Charli, tragic life

-Lee was a creep, treated her like property

-loved Jonas, taught her about horses, father figure, some surprised that he was black

-Karin:  Can’t something happy happen!!!!

Next up….Marrie is picking Me Before You by Jojo Moyes. 

See ya all soon.

Happy Reading,

Jenn

 

Lots of Candles plenty of Cake - Anna Quindlen

May 29, 2014

First and foremost - we gave out our most coveted award - the  Perfect Attendance award.  This is a large cash award and this year goes to ...... Jennifer.  Congrats Jenn!  Because you were not at the meeting, Karin accepted the award for you (please see her for the large check.... )

The meeting started out with a few light (and sometimes funny jokes)
   - Spaceman
   - String Joke
   - HK joke - Dog  (honestly don't remember this one - just typing from notes)
   - Penguin - (some thing about a seal....)

****************************************************************

A wonderful time at Amy's, great food, great wine, great friends.

Amy selected this book as she just turned 50 (am I allowed to put that in writing?  Oh, and welcome to the club!) and Anna Quinlan's writing provided a reflection of her life.

Comments:
* The book had some funny moments along with a few melancholy notes.
* Felt like a blog more than a book
* Nothing in life is etched in stone
* How do best friends influence us
* and finally - we all worry about who will pluck hairs and wipe butts for us when we get old.  (we recommended that every one select their person now)

The wine kicked in and the conversations took a left turn...
 - Susan loves the smell of Noxema
 - How do kids clean their weed without double albums?

*****************************************************************

Next month - The Fault of Our Stars by John Green at Alison's house on June 26th

Necessary Lies

A very quick post....

Marrie rocks as a hostess.  Even with her house in remodel mode she always provides us with a wonderful evening!  The food and atmosphere were fantastic!!1  Who didn't love the simply homemade lasagna (who cares who made it?) and salad.  And of course, love the old fashion lemon cake/pie thing...my nana used to make that...memories! 

Anyway, the book....

Necessary Lies by Diane Chamberlain was well liked by the group.  It provided us with a good discussion and evoked a lot of thought. 

Who knew about this dark period in our American history...feel like we did that with the orphan train. 
How we have forgotten how unliberated we were....birth control ladies! 
Jane should NOT have told MaryElla! 
Baby William had to be taken away...sad but true!
Nona's character was well done...descriptive of almost that stereotypical black nanny?!?
Solid character development!
Torn between Jane's' character (privileged life) and the understanding why intervention was needed. 
Intervention by government....but at what cost??????
Ivy and Mary was here.
Ivy...mother or child?  Let's face it...she kept that family together. 
And the father of Baby William is......saw that one coming! 
Crossing lines....that's directed to you Jane. 
The fast forward ending.....neat and tidy with Jane marrying lawyer guy (can't remember his name).

Up next is One Thousand White Women:  The Journals of May Dodd.  We'll be meeting at Sara's on March 25th. 

See you all soon.
Jenn

The Soldier’s Wife by Margaret Leroy

January 14, 2014 - On a snowy night in the middle of January we made the trek to Alison's new home in Maine.  We all fell in love with it and can't wait to see the views next summer (thanks for letting us invite ourselves... )

Alison selected this book based on the recommendation from her sister-in-law, Terry.  The group found the book a good read, but felt the lead character was unbelievable.

Comments include:

• How did she have sex almost every night..... is there a comparison to Fifty Shades of Grey???
• Making a dress from curtains - how very Gone with the Wind of her
• Reminded us of another book (that we might have read as a group - but we can't remember) The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - great book
• But "Not for Nothing" and "Let me tell you this about that", "Well there you go"
• Korea or Career?
• The Millers - good movie
• Downton Abby - boring this year?
• Planning cruise in Europe while having Bubble and Squeak?  Or should we just rent a Villa in Italy?

Awesome dinner!  Thanks Alison!

We wish Susan a great trip to Ireland!

We missed Karin and all wish Austin a speedy recovery

Next month - Necessary Lies by Diane Chamberlain  at Marrie's on February 24th