July 2016 Bookclub Recap

Dear Bookclub,
Kate created a relaxed haven for our group to discuss the harsh realities of the French Resistance during WWII via Kristin Hannah's "The Nightingale". Attempting to draw us into the wartime deprivations with bread and jam, she failed miserably as Kate's delectable provisions still make this mouth water with the reminisce:

Amazing bread and jam

a ration

  


Well-received, "The Nightingale" prompted us to recall other WWII books we have read, comparing and contrasting, amazed at the endless views and variety of literature that's been created. Discussion included observations about the believability of surviving some of the brutality described; (yes, that is the remarkable resilience that makes the story, but how many times can one's head crack), repetitive phrases and descriptions, the vehicle of having an unnamed sister traveling from Oregon to Paris to tell the story, the observation that a HUGE explanatory chunk of such sister's life in US was missing and an overall satisfaction in having read the book. Personally, the mysteries were apparent but I enjoyed the history of the resistance and I did weep at the end.

Andrée de Jongh
 

Most important, the novel leads the reader to learn of the actions of true life heros. "The Nightingale" is based upon an amazing woman, Andrée de Jongh:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1566506/Andree-de-Jongh.html

Hannah was inspired by the 19-year-old Belgian woman, whose story she came upon while researching for another of her novels. Interview with Kristin Hannah here:

http://www.bookweb.org/news/qa-kristin-hannah-author-february%E2%80%99s-1-indie-next-list-pick

Kate's suggestions for our October read were so interesting; please check them out:

"Brain on Fire" Susannah Cahalan
"This Must Be the Place" Maggie O'Farrell
"The Heavenly Table" Donald Ray Pollack
"The Dream Life of Astronauts" Patrick Ryan *chosen

 Next up: Anna Quindlen's "Miller Valley" at Lynne H.'s

Happy Reading!
LK

June 2016 Recap/July 2016 Bookclub News

Dear Bookclub,
June's gathering at Diane's described in her own words:

"Book club was small but mighty:  Sue Dohren, Barb Gaeto, Karen Ferrette and myself.
Barb and Karen had finished the book and I was 25% into it.  I like it a lot and Sue and I encouraged full discussion by Barb and Karen who also liked the book.  Great characters, and very much Isabelle Allende “formula” spirits influenced."

Just in case those absent, myself included, missed being at Diane's, here's a culinary glance.....

Karen kindly sent pictures and reported on the titles suggested:

"The Widow Cliquot"  by Tilar J Mazzeo    *chosen

"The Dinner" by Rosecrans Baldwin

"LaRose" by Louise Erdrich  (revisited)

Recently, Ann Patchett was asked by Parade magazine to make a list of 75 great books from the last 75 years to commemorate Parade's 75 anniversary.:

http://parade.com/485659/annpatchett/the-75-best-books-of-the-past-75-years/

Hesitant to declare such a list with the potential to open up the debate of what was chosen and what was omitted, Patchett did indeed comply and produced a wonderful list, printable here:

http://parade.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/AnnPatchett75BestBooks.pdf

Interesting to peruse and perhaps inspirational in choosing your next read!

 Next up: "The Nightingale" by Kristin Hannah to be discussed on July 21 at Kate's.


Hope to see you there!
Happy reading,
LK