July’s book club was cancelled – too many conflicting schedules and we have an awesome book to discuss. If you haven’t read “Every Last One,” by Anna Quindlen go out and pick it up. Wow! If you are a parent this book will take your breath away.

I read “In the Garden of the Beasts,” by Erik Larson. (See my review under Pages.) I loved Mr. Larson’s last book, “Devil in the White City.” It is one of my favorite books. So, I read this with trepidation – worried that it just couldn’t live up to his previous book. All worry aside, the book is very interesting and I liked it a lot.

I love historical fiction – I love history. I even read military magazines – just can’t get enough of it. Germany right before the war is a fascinating place, so full of intrigue you can actuallly feel the weight of oppression bearing down on Germany (coincidently a humid heatwave descended over Germany at the same time).

If you love historical fiction and are interested in WWII, then you will really like this. It doesn’t have the same rhythm as “Devil in the White City,” but I’m still a fan of Erik Larson.

A beautiful evening dinner with friends – what could be better!  Well, the book “Unbroken,” by Laura Hillenbrand made a beautiful evening even better – perfect in fact!

If you haven’t read “Unbroken,” read it.  It is simply unbelieveable – well written, well researched and it’s a true story of an amazing man.  Ms. Hillenbrand came across articles written about Louis Zamperini when she was writing “Seabiscuit,” and vowed to come back to Mr. Zamperini’s story when she finished.   And we are very glad she did.

We crave survival stories, they give us hope and allow us to say “Ok” I can do this.  Survival is not the neat, fearless story of the movies, but rather a messy, complicated,  and fear-ridden ordeal.   Mr. Zamperini deals with everything that he’s dealt in this astounding story of survival.  See my review under Pages.

Absolutely read this book.

We had pre-prom party, then book club, then post-prom party. What a busy night!

Our book this month was “Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt,” by Beth Hoffman and book club was at my house. Of course, we had a wonderful time, but the book was just OK. See my book club review under Pages.

We have two wonderful books coming up in June and July. June’s book is “Unbroken,” by Laura Hillenbrand, and July’s is “Every Last One,” by Anna Quindlen. Both books are amazing and totally different.

Reading – what an amazing joy!

Fran hosted book club this month and we had a lovely time. The book was “Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet,” by Jamie Ford.

Overall, the book was reviewed well by all members. It is not however, “Snow Falling on Cedars,” by David Guterson. Both books delve into the Japanese-American internment camps and the resulting racism and persecution, but with vastly different story lines. “Snow Falling on Cedars,” is an amazing book. “Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet,” is a good book.

“Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet,” tells the story of Henry Lee, from his difficult childhood as a Chinese-American during World War II to the death of his wife in 1986.

The book is a good pick for book clubs because it offers an insight into the Japanese-American internment camps, the relationship in American between the Chinese and the Japanese, and the relationship between immigrants and their first-generation children. See my book review under Pages.

We had a wonderful time at a local Chinese Restaurant for book club. The book was “Room,” by Emma Donoghue. Some of us loved the book and some didn’t like it. All agreed that the book was well-written and a good choice for book club. (See my review under Pages.)

Let’s hope this year will bring everyone a little peace and healing.

We had a wonderful time at Michelle’s house for book club in January.  Our gracious hostess made us amazing good sandwiches with lots of fun treats.  We had book club on a Thursday night – which, we have never done before because of the ladies that work.  However, it was so much fun and a great start to 2011.  The book was “I Remember Nothing,” by Nora Ephron.  A good pick to start the year.  I recommend it to book clubs – see my review under pages.

Next month’s book is “Room,” by Emma Donoghue.

Our year-end holiday dinner was held in a lively restaurant this year.  A little holiday cheer to end another year of book club.  Although it has taken a lot of work to keep book club together, I enjoy meeting with other women to talk about books and our crazy lives – the good, the bad, and the ugly.  Here’s to 2011 – it couldn’t come fast enough.

November’s book club went to see the play “Love, Loss and What I Wore,” on November 20th.    The play is based on the memoir of Ilene Beckerman who captured certain crucial moments in her life by what she wore.  Nora and Delia Ephron took Beckerman’s work and added additional stories to create a view of a well-lived life. 

The actresses sit in front of the audience and read/act out these short vignettes all dressed in black.  The set allows for a certain closeness between the cast and the audience.   Clothes are like music, we remember events in our lives with them, a bond almost.   

We thoroughly enjoyed the play, it pulls on your heartstrings one moment, and the next you’re out-loud laughing.  Grab a few friends and go see it!

 Our ladies-day out at the theater.

After the play we ate a late lunch.

Today, we honor our Veterans who so bravely fought and continue to fight for our freedom. I thank you all.

And today, we also honor a friend, her name was Toni and she was buried today. She was like our amazing Veterans, a tough fighter, but also a woman with the capacity to comfort with just a glance. She fought a tough war against cancer, with a smile and effervescent flair – she was always vibrant and alive. Toni never let fear interfere with life. She inspired me. Toni is someone I will remember.

Au revoir Toni – till we meet again!