November 2019 Recap

Thanksgiving Bookclub at Kim's

Dear Bookclub,
Gratefully gathering at Kim's for a festive evening of discussion, we were treated to a feast themed to Beth Duke's "It All Comes Back to You". Not pictured but much appreciated: ham and homemade icebox cake!

Kim herded us from the captivating kitchen to the formal dining room for a more formal discussion, complete with questions on cards. In true Violet style, we gladly complied - for a few minutes and then broke from the discussion points bursting with the need to bare our true feelings. Amazingly ordered, (thank you Martha!), each of us revealed our disappointment in realizing it was not a great book. The underlying current of "romance novel" overpowered our literary sense and despite admission that it was a fast read, it was not well-liked. Murderous, unbelievable, and flat characters were tied up in a bow at the book's end. Something must be noted about the beautiful cover... think we were bamboozled!


Kim's suggestions for an upcoming read:

"A Fire Sparkling" by Julianne MacLean *chosen
 "Olive Again" by Elizabeth Strout

"The Dutch House" by Ann Pachett

 'Tis the season!

 While visiting my mom in October, she shared this article from the Boston Globe. Please enjoy!

The following appeared on BostonGlobe.com:

Headline: A precious holiday family heirloom tells the story of generations - The Boston Globe

Date: Nov 2, 2019

Sixty years later, Mom’s Christmas tablecloth captures our family history.

https://www.bostonglobe.com/magazine/2018/11/22/precious-holiday-family-heirloom-tells-story-generations/HlnQ2f8eKBBsekyqFsRQIM/story.html?s_campaign=8315


Up next, for our Christmas party:

Jolly reading,
LK

November 2019 Bookclub News

Beth Duke*

Dear Bookclub,

"I accompanied my mother to pick up her cat at a veterinary clinic in Alabama. The place also catered to birds; cockatoos and the like. I began chatting with a woman waiting for her cockatiel, and she had the strongest Eastern European accent. I was enthralled listening to her; she had dramatically dark hair and eyes, and in my mind she was some sort of exotic Gypsy. I finally asked her where she’s from, expecting the Czech Republic or Hungary. Instead, she answered, “Mobile (Alabama).” She gestured to her head. “Eees spider bite. Eees make me talk this way ever since from toxin.” I told her how fascinating I found that, and she nodded to her husband across the room. “He like it very much.” The man grinned and nodded emphatically."

Beth Duke is a storyteller. And the above is a true story, according to her. How much is fiction in "It All Comes Back to You"? *Duke appears to be a little bit Violet.. a little bit Ronni in this depiction. Inspired to write in a voice she misses, her grandmother, Duke claims that every book she writes features a magical old lady. To read more of the interview with Beth Duke that includes the above story, please enjoy:

https://curledupwithagoodbook.co.uk/meet-the-author-beth-duke/

For more on Beth Duke, please check out her website:

 https://www.bethduke.com/



Kim's suggestions for an upcoming read:

  "A Fire Sparkling" by Julianne MacLean

 "Olive Again" by Elizabeth Strout

"The Dutch House" by Ann Pachett

Happy reading,

LK

October 2019 Recap

Karen's October "touch"

Dear Bookclub,

A much anticipated bookclub evening exceeded expectations as the cozy Ferrette home cast its spell. If Halloween were a comfort food, it would be bookclub at Karen’s. Yes, there is the delicious autumn inspired food, and in addition, fall colors and pumpkins envelope, transporting our spirits into a holiday-inspired focus. Frightening enough that Halloween was just two short weeks away, I have perpetuated the terror in writing about this on November 2nd. We are captive in the speeding time vortex! But just in time:

Back to our meeting; Gail Honeyman's  "Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine" generated good discussion as we agreed the well-written account of this woman's life presented much to ponder. Never really knowing what one's story entails, Eleanor gave us a glimpse into what happens as one ages out of the foster care system. Add to that, an horrific event, and the unimaginable further rocked our beliefs. Julie summed it up with these thoughts: "There are no dramatic acts of valor... No one swoops in and saves her. Little gestures enable her to save herself. We can all fight loneliness by doing random acts of kindness." Discussion of the upcoming Reese Witherspoon movie production can be updated as it is now reported that the screenplay is in the process of being written and that Reese will play a part in the movie (the 'imagined' evil mother?) and Felicity Jones may play Eleanor.

Cheers!

Delighting in the endearing parts of the book, Karen treated us to some Irish cider:

Magners for all!

 Karen's suggestions for an upcoming read:

"Born a Crime" Trevor Noah *chosen

"Little Fires Everywhere"  Celeste Ng

"The Silent Patient" Alex Michaelides

My suggestions for a December read:

"The Night Before Cbristmas" Nikolai Gogol
"Redbird Christmas" Fannie Flagg * chosen
"Mr. Dickens and His Carol: A Novel" Samantha Silva

Martha's suggestions for an upcoming read:

"Sing, Unburied, Sing" Jesmyn Ward

"Manhattan Beach" Jennifer Egan

"There There" Tommy Orange

Up next:

Happy reading!

LK