August 2016 Recap

Dear Bookclub,
A perfect summer night on The Veranda, with an attentive waiter, made for a truly lovely bookclub evening. Despite dwindling light and a long table hindering conversation between those distantly separated, book discussions and administrative tasks were successfully executed. Quindlan's book, read by most all, was well-received with the appreciation of the social commentary of the era. I'd mentioned an enlightening interview of Anna Q. with Diane Rehm:

http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2016-03-28/anna-quindlen-millers-valley


Sue channeled Lynne's suggestions (we missed you Lynne!!) and presented the following:
"Go Set a Watchman" Harper Lee
"The Children Act" Ian McEwan *chosen
"Before the Fall" Noah Hawley

Please brainstorm for a December selection and send me your ideas.
Also, please remember to put October 18 on your calendar at Martha's - this meeting will be a Tuesday instead of a Thursday.

Up next: "The Widow Clicquot" by Tilar Mazzeo; it will be a merry time at Lynn T's on September 15!

Cheers to reading,
LK

Augusst 2016 Bookclub News

Cheat Lake

Dear Bookclub,
Fifty years ago, my cousins and I dangled our legs through huge black rubber tubes and zigzagged  through murky waters back and forth across Cheat Lake in West Virginia. A creepy delight, we knew our kicking legs towered above a drowned valley and the idea of a church, homes, etc. stilled by the waters fueled our frenzy to find the dock by their summer cabin and sun above the water. That was the extent of my ten-year-old's understanding of the lake and I never considered it again until Anna Quindlen's "Miller's Valley". Prompted to consider its origin, the lake was indeed created by the 1926 construction of a dam by the West Penn Power Company.  http://www.wvencyclopedia.org/articles/1109     Still creepy.

Hardly creepy are the characters Quindlen created in the realm of a 1960's-to-present family saga. Looking forward to discussing the personalities and situations with our group this Thursday at The Veranda, 7 pm.

Happy summer reading,
LK

Birthday Blog

Dearest Friends,
What an amazing surprise yesterday's 'bookclub' meeting turned out to be! Between the bookends entitled 'bookclub1' and 'bookclub2' reside volumes of the most dear friends ever. My heart and soul are still beaming - thank you Terry for masterminding and hosting the beautiful luncheon and thanks to all for coming and celebrating a very memorable 60th birthday party!

 

 "Dressing it up"......

Terrie G., Lori, and Ginger, we missed you!!

Many thanks for the darling, new addition to my secret garden..... Happy reading!
Still astounded and much love,
LK

 Nestled in the secret shade

impervious to fears of night

the garden girl reads endlessly

imagined scenes take flight.