September 2013

PA Libraries
PA Libraries

We had a lovely time at Fran’s house for book club. Our book was “We is Got Him,” by Carrie Hagen.

This was the true story of the first kidnapping for ransom in the United States.  The ladies liked learning about the story, but it was not a favorite pick. Sometimes nonfiction reads a little slower, and it can be tedious (see review under Reviews to right).   The kidnapping received a great deal of media coverage with both Philadelphia and New York papers at the time of the kidnapping.  It produced a lot of outrage from the public. The public had become emotionally attached to this horrible crime. So, the media stayed with the story for a long time, and inadvertently told the world about this new kind of crime. The rest is history.

1920’s Paris – Ooh la la

BFBC Hemingway marriage
www.jfklibrary.org

Our June book club met for a lively dinner on June 7th.  This month’s book was “The Paris Wife,” by Paula McLain.

We were introduced to Hadley Richardson, Ernest Hemingway’s first wife as the newlyweds made their way to Paris from their first home in Chicago.  Paris was the cultural crossroads for new emerging artists, who were stripping away the old confines and creating their own art. Paris was almost a requirement for these artists.

McLain walks us around Paris and around the Hemingway marriage.  Both are intriguing.  We know Hemingway will become a renowned writer, but we see his insecurities and his bravado.  We watch as Hadley makes a home on a shoe-string allowance, and offers Hemingway comfort and serenity when he needs it.  Hadley respected Hemingway and believed in his abilities as a writer and as a person.  Her love for him almost transfers to the readers and we tolerate some of Hemingway’s not so shinning moments, until, of course, he goes too far.  Read my review under the author’s name on the right side of my website.

A must read for book clubs!

http://bit.ly/14bgC84
http://bit.ly/14bgC84