April’s book club was all abuzz. We had teenagers trying out for high school cheerleading teams and moms coming and going. An excitement filled the air, along with a little trepidation, which went well with the book, Colum McCann’s “Let the Great World Spin.” I loved the book, but book club was split on it. I really think it’s a great book for book clubs. The book left me with a sense of hope, and that was important at the time.

Patty and Denise sharing a smile for the camera.

Terry going to pick up her daughter.

February’s book club was held at my house on Friday, February 12, 2010.  We discussed all our favorite books.  My favorite book is Trinity by Leon Uris.  Teri’s favorite book is A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaed Hosseini.  Dawn loves all the Harlan Coben books and James Patterson.  Judi ‘s favorite book is Embraced by the Light by Betty J. Eadie, and The Reader by  Bernhard Schlink.  Patty loves Nelson DeMille’s books, Harlan Coben and the Harry Potter series.  Michelle doesn’t really have a favorite, but is thoroughly enjoying the Twilight Series by Stephanie Meyer.  Denise loved Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan.

Only about half of the book club was present at February’s meeting, so I will incorporate their favorites over time. 

March’s book is Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann.  This was an Amazon top pick for 2009. 

Our pictures didn’t come out very good this month, except for the ladies who didn’t want their pictures taken.

Well, here we are in the beginning of a new decade and the book club is still intact.  We lossed a few people and gained a few others – but we held on to friendship and books.

We read “wintergirls,” by Laurie Halse Anderson to begin the new decade.  It’s a disturbingly real and powerful book about teenagers with eating disorders and their desire to just disappear.  I have posted under Pages a review of the book.

We had dinner and a wonderful discussion of the book at a Japanese restaurant.

Our annual holiday party was at my house this year. We opted for a home party instead of a restaurant to enable easier conversations with everyone and it was a very pleasant evening.

I can’t say I’m unhappy that 2009 is ending.  It wasn’t a particularly happy year for my family and some of my friends.  But – we made it through!  We have changed and grown and are learning patience.

I look forward to the new decade (even though I will become a senior citizen in it) because the last decade was difficult (as Time Magazine put it “The Decade from Hell”).  Goodbye!

Our next meeting is January 22, 2010, and we are reading the book “wintergirls,” by Laurie Halse Anderson.  (The title is in lower caps.)  A new member suggested this book (it was assigned reading for a class her daughter is taking).  She read it and thought it would be great for discussion.

I look forward to our next meeting and wishing the year a goodnight.

Peace and love everyone!

I have been so remiss with not updating my blog.  My Bad!  Our book club has had a very busy year and it has been difficult at best to keep everyone reading and coming to our monthly meetings.

In November we read three short stories.  The first one was “86th Street and the Summer of Love,” by Colin C. Conway.  This story is raw, disturbing and totally absorbing.  What’s great about short stories is they place you at a very specific period of time and allow you to feel that moment vividly. 

The second story was “The Wicker Husband,” by Ursula Wills-Jones.  A good read about jealously and coveting your neighbors’/friends’/families’ lives.  I have put both of these short stories under pages to the right if you want to read them.  I pulled them from www.eastoftheweb.com. 

The third was an article about like attracting like to uplift the mood of the first story. 

We had dinner at a new pub/restaurant – and talked and laughed-out-loud for a few hours – wonderful.

Fran hosted book club this month. Our book was “The Monster of Florence,” by Douglas Preston with Mario Spezi. The book is a non-fiction account of a series of murders in the Florence area and the incredible bungling of the investigation by the Italian authorities.  (See book review under Pages). Preston writes a series with Lincoln Child that I loved. Their protaganist is Agent Pentagast. Love this series and can’t wait for the next book.
 

Not everyone had their picture taken at book club,  but Fran’s dog Angel was ready and willing to pose for the camera!

Two pictures from the Races with ladies from book club and my pesky daughter.

It must be our smallest group this year, but we had fun and even a little dessert.

Two of us went to the beat of South Beach for a 50th Birthday celebration.

Oh yeah, the book for August was “When you Lie About Your Age the Terrorists Win,” by Carol Leifer, which was not a favorite at all (see book club review under author). 

September’s book is “Pillars of the Earth,” by Ken Follett.  Can’t wait.

A small group, but a lot of fun.  We didn’t go into to much detail in our discussion of “American Wife,” by Curtis Sittenfeld – not a favorite (see my review under Page section.)

The gang having a few laughs.

No close-ups of anyone this time even though Gina tried very hard.

 As you can see Michelle doesn’t want a close-up. 

We say goodbye to LaKeshia who is moving out-of-state – good luck and be happy – we’ll miss you!!!