December Recap

(OK,  so I never took a picture of Lynn T's amazing collection of tea cups;

 I get distracted by cute dogs.)

Dear Bookclub,

A warming cup of tea or two along with sandwiches, salad, cheese, fruit and tiramisu in Karen's festive dining room gave us much joy! But first, the task at hand. After toasting our year and our fellowship we buckled down to formally discuss Anne Tyler's "Clock Dance". We were all over the place giving it from one to five stars and, I believe, if it could have no stars, some may have owned that! Noting that Willa was not an accomplished, independent woman, which is the type of woman we want to read about and admire, the book fell flat for some. Others enjoyed some of the quirkiness of the surrounding characters, Cheryl, Denise and even Airplane. There was a distinct remembrance of Tyler's 1995 novel, "Ladder of Years" where the main character walks out on her family in the middle of a family vacation, just walking away on the beach. And despite Karen's unusual interpretation of the ending with Willa, I did see Tyler's use of the same freeing abandonment in my imagination of Willa's next move. However, Karen does have the best I-never-even-considered-that!!! twists. Please keep those coming; great discussion gets stirred up.

Bookclub  Angels

 
Our collection for the organization, Gently Hugged, appeared to be successful as there was a distinct pile for Karen to deliver (thank you for that!!). In case you want to continue to donate:

http://gentlyhugged.org/


Karen's suggestions for an upcoming read were influenced by the PBS series, "The Great American Read":

"Catcher in the Rye" J.D. Salinger *chosen
"Gone With the Wind" Margaret Mitchell
"To Kill a Mockingbird" Harper Lee

Read the One Hundred List:
https://www.pbs.org/the-great-american-read/books/#/


Up next: Lucy Tan's  "What We Were Promised"


Happy Reading,
LK

November 2018 Recap

Tara's Idaho

Dear Bookclub,
Minutes feel normal; hours pass as expected; days truncated by the dictated, ever-shortening sunlight.....  the cumulate: weeks gone since the last bookclub meeting. In keeping with the forward charging December, here is a recap to guide us to the end of the year.

The November Cast

Reports from Julie and Kate tell of a lively and lovely November Kate-hosted meeting. Discussion of Tara Westover's "Educated" included marveling at Tara's intelligence and courage and a focus on her abusive father and detested brother, Shaun. I felt Tara's Stockholm syndrome signaling each time Shaun appeared. A paralleled idea found in this clinical psychologist's fascinating view:

Goali Saedi Bocci, Ph.D.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/millennial-media/201804/psychologists-take-tara-westovers-memoir-educated
 

Kate asked a good question...Why did Tara write the book?  With two therapists present, discourse centered on parental neglect, parental protection, sibling dynamics, blind fervency to religion,effects of Mormonism, fundamentalism, education vs. non-education, mental illness, family dynamics etc..  Westover's story is a wealth of debatable material.

Another focus was comparing and contrasting similar books like Jeannette Wall's "Glass Castle" and Kristin Hannah's "The Great Alone". Both of these works are also built on the resiliency of the main character in the face of a severely deficient and harmful upbringing. Only "Educated" has the caveat of a surviving and fully functioning set of parents. LaRee and Valaree have their opinions about the book and also thrive with a successful business:

https://butterflyexpress.shop/

Logan Utah's Herald Journal News, February 23, 2018

'Educated' should be read with grain of salt, says family's attorney:

https://www.hjnews.com/allaccess/educated-should-be-read-with-grain-of-salt-says-family/article_0583f217-6fd2-51de-a891-9ca32adb589c.html 

Kate's suggestions for an upcoming selection:

"The Great Alone" Kristen Hannah

"When" Daniel Pink

"A Spark of Light" Jodi Picoult *chosen

Next up:

Ann Tyler's "Clock Dance"

Happy reading,
LK

November 2018 Bookclub Newsletter

Dear Bookclub,
Educated. Being raised off the 'grid' reminded me immediately of another family: that of Doc Paskowitz. A passionate surfer, the lifestyle claimed after being unhappy as a Stanford educated physician, Paskowitz imposed his philosophy of education, money and health upon his family. 
As stated in Wikipedia:
"None of the Paskowitz children were formally educated during their time on the road. Paskowitz's philosophy about the difference between knowledge and wisdom led him to believe that the formal education systems in all the countries of the world were not useful. He believed that achieving wisdom came from real experiences in the world, and from meeting and learning from everyday people. He believed formal education was dangerous to young minds, despite being a Stanford graduate and a professor at community colleges, including Palomar College."

To learn more about Doc Paskowitz, please see the documentary, "Surfwise" and/or check out the article:

http://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-dorian-doc-paskowitz-20141114-story.html
 

But let's conside Tara Westover: A distortion of reality is how she describes her upbringing. She journeys through the pain and the truth that much of her childhood was beautiful despite the grossly abusive scenario.

"How an abused Mormon child read her way into a top university."* Westover's book begins with a statement declaring that it is not necessarily Mormonism that created her situation but that of an extremist:in this case, a fundamentalist Mormon.

*https://www.noted.co.nz/currently/profiles/how-an-abused-mormon-child-read-her-way-into-a-top-university/

And a deeply ingrained upbringing:

Tara sings a Mormon hymn:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlO_QkqQ9cE

Discussion centered on the harm of being raised by a mentally ill parent vs. Mormon beliefs will be most appropriate.

Kate's suggestions for an upcoming read are yet to be announced.

Studious reading,
LK

October 2018 Recap

Paul-Albert Besnard | Woman Reading Before a Window (La liseuse Devant la fenêtre) |

 Dear Bookclub,

In discussing Erik Larson's "Dead Wake", our bookclub was deftly led by Kim, who had brilliantly put a question at each plate. She reported the cards instigated a very long and lively conversation. I am so sorry to have missed. Excellent idea to try again in future meetings.

 

 

Suggested by Kim for an upcoming read:

"Where the Crawdads Sing" by Delia Owens* chosen

"Manhattan Beach" Jennifer Egan

"What We Lose"  Zinzi  Clemmons

picasso's woman reading book

 Up next:

Tara Westover's "Educated"

Thoughtful reading,

LK

 

 

 

October 2018 Bookclub News

Dear Bookclub,
Sorry to be missing this upcoming meeting and guessing that there will be good discussion surrounding newly illuminated knowledge of submarines and World War I found in Erik Larson's "Dead Wake".


Forever obsessed with oceanic disasters since I was a young girl, thanks to the camp song, "Oh they built the ship Titanic to sail the ocean blue....." (aside, what a strange song to be singing in Girl Scout Camp and that made me wonder, did that really happen and yes(!) it did... as a matter of fact it is still sung by Girl Scouts today as you can witness in the following YouTube video I tirelessly found within two seconds of research:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rP1gD9xXkU
....did you sing this too?) , I was intensely interested in the details surrounding the last crossing of the Lusitania. Larson did not disappoint.

Back to looming disasters.... Big picture:

Little picture: The individuals. From a Lusitania information website, http://www.rmslusitania.info/people/statistics/  :


How many people died in the Lusitania sinking?  How many survived? 

	Total	Survived	Died	Survival rate
Saloon (First Class)	290	113	177	39.0%
Second Cabin (Second Class)	601	229	372	38.1%
Third Class	370	134	236	36.2%
Deported Seamen (Third Class)	3	0	3	0.0%
Total Passengers	1,264	476	788	37.7%
Stowaways	3	0	3	0.0%
Band	5	3	2	60.0%
Deck Crew	69	37	32	53.6%
Engineering Crew	313	112	201	35.8%
Victualling Crew	306	139	167	45.4%
Total Crew (including Band)	693	291	402	42.0%
Total Complement (with stowaways)	1,960	767	1,193	39.1%

I have not yet done breakdown by nationality or age group, but those are worth considering for future updates.  Accounting for the four survivors who died not long afterwards, this becomes:

	Total	Survived	Died	Survival rate
Total Complement (with stowaways)	1,960	763	1,197	38.9%

 (Conclusion: be in the band)



Great videos from the Smithsonian channel:

http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/shows/sinking-the-lusitania-an-american-tragedy/0/3420538


Please look over the following books, suggested by Kim, for an upcoming selection to be chosen at the meeting:

"Where the Crawdads Sing" by Delia Owens

"Manhattan Beach" Jennifer Egan

"What We Lose"  Zinzi  Clemmons

Happy Reading,
LK

September 2018 Recap

Dear Bookclub,
A remarkable evening on many fronts, last week's bookclub meeting was one for the records.
First and foremost, was the embracing of our beloved member Lynn T. Together again, after one long year of her absence, our joy was reflected in the glow of her candlelit autumn decor and was certainly heard miles away.


Discussion of our selection was delayed by the enormous task of catching up and sampling the delectable trays of hors d'ouevres, while sipping wine. But when we gathered in the living room, serious discussion ensued.

Empowered by the talking-leaf, we took turns sharing our ideas about Tayari Jones' "An American Marriage". Thoughts and conversations ran the gamut from admiration of certain characters to the degrees of difficulties handling race, privilege, and even the concept of a guilty Little Roy. That last concept turned many of us around. Beautifully written, yet filled with incredulous layers (Roy's cellmate being his biological father!), we became captured by the compelling story, climbing aboard Jones' voyage into the heart of one couple's marriage and came out the other side, a bit wiser and certainly seasoned from the raw exposure to the triangle that evolved.

Sue shared her book from the PBS series, "The Great American Read"

Lynn's suggestions for an upcoming read:

 "Tuscan Child" Rhys Bowen

 "A Spark of Light" Jodi Picoult
 "What We Were Promised" Lucy Tan *chosen


Up next: Erik Lasron's "Dead Wake"

Happy reading!
LK

September 2018 Bookclub News

Dear Bookclub,

I got carried away. Doing research on our next book, Tayari Jones' "An American Marriage", brought me to a quote:

“One of my favorite parts of summer is deciding what to read when things slow down just a bit, whether it’s on a vacation with family or just a quiet afternoon . . . An American Marriage by Tayari Jones is a moving portrayal of the effects of a wrongful conviction on a young African-American couple.” —Barack Obama

OK then! Barack has figured out how to slow down and read during the summer. I especially find it intriguing to imagine him having a quiet afternoon. So I googled Obama reading and found this smattering of images. I bet there are no photographers around during those quiet summer afternoons so I will have to be satisfied with these scenes of him reading quite the variety of genres.

Next, I came upon this quote:

"I did not read the synopsis of this book before I read it, and I suggest that you do not either. Just trust me, this is worth it. This is my first Tayari Jones book, and it won’t be my last."

From a Barbara Fischer, who from over 1800 Amazon reviews, mentions that I shouldn't delve any further if I want to have the great feel of experiencing the reveal. I stopped reading reviews then also.
Now I will focus on reading the book.

Happy reading!
LK 

PS The San Diego Union Tribune ran an article this week about the health benefits of reading (we know!):
 http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/lifestyle/sd-he-reading-for-health-20180910-story.html#


Also, here is another article, from the Atlantic, citing the same study:
 https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2013/07/more-evidence-reading-good-you/313575/
 

August 2018 Recap

Dear Bookclub,
An intimate group gathered at Barb's, and indeed, our size increased by 25.5% with the addition of  Cassie and Henry! Aside from looking like the absolute baby doll he is, Henry was incredibly agreeable, silently on board with all thoughts and discussion. Barb treated us to an amazing late summer spread and delicious wine - yes, too bad you weren't there because check out how we left the Gaeto wine vault (see below). In truth, Tom wisely removed the collection to cooler quarters on Point Loma so not only did we leave it this way, it looked this way when we arrived. But - what a concept!

Our discussion of "The Heirs" included assessing Eleanor and her motivations, recalling the more colorful characters and circumstances, and an observation that the book did not have a lot of 'action' but rather a telling of a family's story.  I enjoyed it immensely as a good summer read and the novel will remain memorable given the varied dynamics and personalities, well-told by Susan Reiger.

Barb thoughtfully recommended the following titles to be considered for an upcoming read:

"Clock Dance" Anne Tyler *chosen
"Beartown" Fredrik Backman
"The Great Alone" Kristin Hannah


Up next:

Happy Reading!
LK

August 2018 Bookclub News

Dear Bookclub,
Susan Rieger's "The Heirs", described in this NPR review by Jason Sheehan, as the book depicted in the opening scene of the movie, "The Royal Tenenbaums", the New York version. "Love and sex and money and betrayal make for excellent storytelling" he observes. What a perfect summer page-turning read and ripe for discussion. (I want to re-watch the movie now too.)

https://www.npr.org/2017/05/27/528843001/love-money-and-betrayal-make-for-great-storytelling-in-the-heirs

Looking forward to debating Rupert’s cryptic last words in his will: “Settle my just debts.”


Happy Reading!
LK

July 2018 Bookclub News

July 2018 Bookclub News

Dear Bookclub,
Misalignment of bookclub calendar and my summer travels deprived me of yet another lively meeting. Boohoo; my loss. When sharing my latest read with family and friends, describing a book about a motley crew ever so charmingly pursuing a killer panther, a blank faced reaction was expected. A most fantastic read, "The Which Way Tree" tops my list of highly recommended.

Kim thoughtfully provided a recap of the evening:

"Outside on Julie's beautiful patio with sparkling candles lit when the sun went down,  6 Novel members drank wine, ate delicious food and discussed the memorable book "The Which Way  Tree" by Elizabeth Crook.  Julie prepared discussion questions that had us pondering and exploring the unforgettable characters; the favorites and the undesirables, the intelligent and ruthless animals and the rules and order of the south in post civil war times. The story was centered around a young girl's relentless  determination to hunt and destroy the panther that killed her mother. The narrator was her brother who was willing to risk everything to protect his sister.  It was universally agreed that this book was an outstanding read and one that will long be remembered.

Julie graciously stepped in for Kate and we send Kate love and good wishes for a speedy recovery."

As mentioned in her acknowledgments, Crook found the voice for Benjamin from a book, "Now you Hear my Horn",  in a family library, given in 1968 to her grandfather from her grandmother. Check it out:

https://utpress.utexas.edu/books/mcdnow

I found myself wondering more about Elizabeth Crook and found that her other works are also enticing. I put this one on my reading list:

https://smile.amazon.com/Night-Journal-Elizabeth-Crook/dp/0143038575/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1533051887&sr=8-2&keywords=crook+elizabeth

Kate's suggestions for an upcoming read:

"When: The Science of Perfect Timing" Daniel H. Pink

"Little Fires Everywhere" Celeste Ng

"Educated" Tara Westover *chosen

Up next: Susan Rieger's "The Heirs" 

Happy Reading!

LK

June 2018 Bookclub News

Tennessee Children's Home

Dear Bookclub,
 I am so sorry to have been out of town, missing June's bookclub meeting at Diane's to discuss Lisa Wingate's "Before We Were Yours". Rich for discussion, the author described the experience of surfing the reality in an online site, Signature, http://www.signature-reads.com/2017/06/before-we-were-yours-the-truth-about-tennessees-lost-children/  Wingate states ultimately that when learning of true accounts from Georgia Tann's criminal acts, "For any story you can write, there's someone who's lived it."
Get out a kleenex and see a reunion on a 1991 Oprah episode:
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yzp8ey7spO0
 
Gratefully, Diane has written an account of the evening to share:

Diane here, subbing in for our eloquent leader with a few notes about our recent June meeting.  Despite the off-schedule meeting date - Wednesday instead of Thursday - there was a great turnout of 8 Novel Group members ready to engage in a lively discussion of Before We Were Yours, Lisa Wingate’s novel based on true accounts of adoptions that were less than above board which really tugged at everyone’s heart.  Georgia Tann was running quite a business in the 1930’s-1950’s in Memphis, TN practically stealing children from disadvantaged families and selling them to desperate families unable to have children of their own. Through one such transaction we meet the 5  lovable, and endearing, children of Briny and Queenie aboard their river shanty, the Arcadia.  The book sparked many discussions about adoptions, infertility, feelings of abandonment, and even the recent headlines of family separations at our border.  The discussion was passionate and enlightening, and many remarked one one of the best discussions we have had in awhile. 

The impoverished setting of the book was definitely a food theme challenge, so I decided that as a nod to the book to share my recent experience of simple, Tuscan dishes.  A rustic Panzanella (think bruschetta in a bowl!) followed by a very simple tiramisu ended up as crowd pleasers. 

Four books were presented for future consideration:

Dead Wake, Eric Larson (chosen)

The House of Broken Angels, Luis Alberto Urrea (close 2nd)

32 Yolks, Eric Ripert

The Last Ballad, Wiley Cash

Happy campers #1

Happy campers #2

Up next: Elizabeth Cook's, "The Which Way Tree".

Happy Reading!
LK

May 2018 Recap

Dear Bookclub,

May gray days on end set the tone for our 1918 Spanish flu pandemic affair. Gathering at Lori's for our evening with author, Sue Meissner, to discuss her latest work, "As Bright As Heaven", our fabulous groups united with sweet anticipation. And sweetly welcomed, we were. Lori had created supper of nurturing soup jars, yummy meatballs, delicious salad and dainty pralines.

Susan Meissner and Lori

Fortified with flu shots(ginger beer, vodka & rosemary sprigs), we settled in to share our appreciation for Meissner's work. Sue enlightened with us her development of the book, passing around pictures depicting some scenes from the pandemic. Her revelation of plotting the novel with the deaths of certain individuals (no spoiling in this paragraph), in order to allow other character development was especially interesting, as was her admiration of the structure of Kingsolver's "Poisonwood Bible".

Being merrily distracted, we neglected to discuss and vote on Lori's suggestions for an upcoming selection. Let's do an email vote:

"An American Marriage" Tayari Jones
"The Wife Between Us" Sarah Pekkanen
"Circe" Madeline Miller
"My Antonia" Will Cather


Up next: Lisa Wingate's, "Before We Were Yours". Please remember our meeting at Diane's will be on a Wednesday (June 20).

Happy Reading!
LK

May 2018 Bookclub News

Dear Bookclub,
Our evening with Sue Meissner to discuss her latest book, "As Bright as Heaven", an historical novel imagining one family's journey through the most catastrophic pandemics ever, is just a few days away. A few days in 1918 could determine fate beyond our imagination as the Great Influenza Pandemic devastated populations worldwide.

To learn more about what made this flu so deadly, please read this short piece from Time about the Spanish Flu:
http://time.com/3731745/spanish-flu-history/

To prepare for our evening, please check out the Book Club Kit from Sue's website:
http://susanlmeissner.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/AsBrightAsHeaven_BookClubKit.pdf


Lori has recommended the following books for choosing an upcoming selection:
"An American Marriage" Tayari Jones
"The Wife Between Us" Sarah Pekkanen
"Circe" Madeline Miller
"My Antonia" Will Cather

Healthy reading,
LK