Welcome 2014...

Dear Bookclub,

Happy New Year!

 

 Looking forward to good reads and more importantly, good times together. We sure did have fun last year, not only with our varied monthly meetings, but with the trip to The Huntington, having Sue Meissner speak to our group, not to mention hanging out in La Jolla with Chris Bohjalian. I also loved our impromptu happy hour at the Veranda. And what a holiday finale at Diane and Chuck's gorgeous home. OK - let's bring it on for the next year...

Let's get a date on the calendar for a trip to The Huntington this spring. I talked to a woman in the tours office today for quite some time(!) and she gave me lots of interesting information. The new entrance project is supposed to be done mid-late April. This is a bit different from what I'd understood (early 2015??) but perhaps there are phases. She believed it was worth waiting until after the re-opening to visit. This project involves a new restaurant, classrooms, theatre, etc.  I propose considering May 8-10 or May 15-17. What do you think? Please let me know if you are interested in this trip and if these dates are even something you are able to consider. Going back to the drawing board is always an option. I will try to get as much input as possible.... and then.... maybe... we will need one of those emergency impromptu happy hours at the Veranda. Would be great to get this on the calendars ASAP.

Next task is to vote on Diane's suggestions for our next selection(May) as we didn't really have the opportunity to think about it while we kept Chip busy at the bar. Please consider the following titles and then email your choice by 1/6:

1) "Twelve Years a Slave" by Solomon Northup
2) "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak
3) "The Lacuna" by Barbara Kingsolver

This is a tough list - they are all enticing.

Finally, please send me your preferred month to host if you are not listed in the 2014 calendar to the right. 

Look forward to seeing you on January 16 - here at my place.... discussing "The Rosie Project".
 ......  RSVP


Happy Reading,
LK
 

pictures: Boca Raton art & nature 12/2013

Holiday Party 2013 Charitable Gifts Message from Diane

2013 Designated Book Recipient:  Cardiac Unit, Rady's Childrens Hospital

Many of you may have known Ron Kopensky.  Ron was a Trails neighbor for many years.  He was a successful State Farm insurance agent, dedicated Girls Youth Basketball coach, great tennis player, and all-around tremendous person.  Ron suffered a fatal heart attack on October 29th and leaves behind a wonderful wife, Theresa, and daughter, Katie.  In his memory, I thought it would be a nice tribute to Ron to direct our book giving this holiday season to the cardiac patients at Children's Hospital.  The Child Life Specialist in the Cardiac Care unit requested the titles below; she stated that a few copies of each would be very much appreciated - so don't worry about duplications.  Please feel free to pick any title and bring to the Holiday Party on December 14th.  No need to wrap your gift.  I will make sure that they are delivered to Rady's.  (fyi:  I checked Amazon; all of these titles are available online; some are out of print and some may not arrive until after Christmas but please just know that whatever you can do will be much appreciated.)

Many thanks, Diane

A Day with the Animal Doctors by Rentta

Going to the Hospital-by Anna Civardi

Sometimes-by Rebecca Elliott

My Visit to the Dr (Tiny Tales)-by Rebecca Finn

Hospital (First Time) - by Jess Stockham

Topsy and Tim Go to the Hospital –by Jean and Gareth Anderson

I Don’t Want to Go to the Hospital (Little Princess Books)- by Tony Ross

December Bookclub News

Dear Bookclub,
Bookclub at Kim's had a nice little group of 5. Books suggested for March:

"The Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline ** winner
"The Lacuna" by Barbara Kingsolver
"Solar" by Ian McEwan

Our next gig:

Holiday Party at Diane and Chuck's!!

Saturday December 14

7PM

discussing "The Sport's Gene"

Please email Diane your RSVP with what you will bring to our party potluck table. Details of our charity effort to follow... Diane is just waiting for some guidance from the recipients.

Jolly reading!
LK

November Bookclub News I

Dear Bookclub,
Our next meeting will be at Kim's on November 21st to discuss "And the Mountains Echoed" by Khaled Hosseini. Please RSVP to Kim :

   kbohart@aol.com
 

Jan has sent a link to an interesting website with a great video related to our December read, "The Sports Gene". Click on Tracy O'Hara (who won 3 NCAA's)
 
Please check it out!

Www.secretsofthechampions.com <http://Www.secretsofthechampions.com>  and go to tracy ohara polevault


 Finally, thanks to Sue, Karen, Lori and Julie who have volunteered for 2014 already. Did I miss anyone else? Don't forget to pick a month and let me know your preference.
Thanks so much!

Happy Reading,
LK

 

October 24 Recap

It was an evening aglow at Karens's with loads of pumpkins, butternut squash soup, homemade pickles, and rhubarb bread, among other goodies. I know we usually don't emphasize the food, but it was a fall feast. Karen, please share any recipes!

"The Aviator's Wife" provoked good discussion about what was true and what is even known. Those present, voted on Karen's proposed three enticing selections for our February read:

1) "The Sandcastle Girls" by Chris Bojhalian ****won hands down
2) "At Home in the World" by Joyce Maynard
3) "Making the Most of the Bonus Years of your Life: by Abigail Trafford

Next month, we discuss "And the Mountains Echoed" by Khaled Hosseini at Kim's on November 21st.

Please RSVP kbohart@aol.com.

Happy Halloween from Whiskey!

Bookclub tonight at Karen's, discussing "The Aviator's Wife". Another great selection that I hope you can read even if you aren't able to attend tonight's gathering.

Also, at the start of this busy holiday season, you may enjoy placing Anne Morrow Lindbergh's, "Gift from the Sea" by your bedside for balancing thoughts. I have been rereading it after "The Aviator's Wife" and it is truly a timeless gem. I only grind my teeth and moan a little bit now.

The voting is closed with 7 members voting on our three selections (see last post) for January. "The Rosie Project" it is!

It is time to think about volunteering to host for 2014. I suggest viewing our 2013 history and maybe take the same old month or whatever works best for you. Please email me your preference and I will coordinate.

Happy Reading,
LK

October Bookclub News

Dear Bookclub,

"The Aviator's Wife" has taken over my every reading moment the last few days. It is really good! (I am definitely going to read more by Melanie Benjamin.)

  Hope you are able to read this fantastic novel about Anne Morrow Lindberg, if you haven't already, and join in the discussion at Karen's on October 24th. Please RSVP to Karen ASAP.

Lynn T. had one suggestion at the September meeting for our next selection vote. She asked me for a couple of other ideas, which I have added to the list below. Please vote (email me) for the January selection from the following possibilities:

from Lynn T:  

 The Last Winter of Dani Lancing by P.D. Viner 

A riveting psychological thriller in the tradition of Before I Go to Sleep and Memento that introduces P. D. Viner as a master of suspense.

from Lynn K: 

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

An international sensation, this hilarious, feel-good novel is narrated by an oddly charming and socially challenged genetics professor on an unusual quest: to find out if he is capable of true love.

 Dear Life by Alice Munro

Alice Munro, master of the short story, just received the 2013 Nobel Prize for Literature yesterday!  I propose Munro's "Dear Life", which has been awarded:

 A New York Times Notable Book
A Washington Post Notable Work of Fiction
A Best Book of the Year: The Atlantic, NPR, San Francisco Chronicle, Vogue, AV Club




Thank you and happy reading,
LK