December 2017 recap/January 2018 Bookclub News

The Boardroom

Dear Bookclub,

Our festive holiday gathering at the RB Inn's Avant, not 'properly' photographed, has been depicted as a very serious meeting of the minds. Regretting not having a shoot of a posed group, please enjoy the misrepresented images..... we were a raucous group!!!!!!

"Badd pony will be here"

"just the facts..."

"hmmmmm"

"and then..."

"It's true"

"Really?"

"yes, tonight!"

"a decision must be made..."

"It's settled then."

"I wasn't there"

"We're just fine with anything!"

"Can you believe it?!!"

Back to business!

Our read for January, Paulette Jiles' "News of the World", a National Book Award Finalist, tells of a post Civil War Captain who performs live readings from newspapers in Northern Texas. Hired to deliver an orphaned 10 year old girl to San Antonio, the Captain takes on a challenging journey with a charge that has been living with the Indians that abducted and killed her parents. Jiles recommends delving into Scott Zesch's "The Captured" to learn more of the true stories of abductions by Indians on the Texas frontier.  https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/scott-zesch/the-captured/

If you have a hankering to know more about the author, please visit Paulette's website with her chatty ranch commentary in blog posts:

http://paulettejiles.com/

Sue has several excellent reads to propose for an upcoming selection. In her words:

"1.       The Woman in the Window by A. J. Finn   A gripping psychological thriller recommended by 3 newspapers and Costco book reviewers. Already has movie rights and is by a new author. About a woman who is agoraphobic (won’t go outside) and thinks she sees a crime committed in a neighbor’s home. Many twists and surprises. What did she actually see? 

2.       What Alice Forgot or Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty. I think Big Little Lies was narrowly aced out by another book when we voted a few months ago. 

3.       As Bright as Heaven by local Poway authoress, Susan Meissner.  Historical fiction about the Spanish Flu pandemic in 1918 that affected 1/3 of the country and how it affects one family in Philadelphia. Publication is in Feb. Since the flu is awful here this winter, might be quite interesting. 

4.       Seven Days in May by Kim Izzo. Historical fiction about the sinking of the Lusitania by German sub. A rich, emotional nail-biter recommended by Good Housekeeping magazine.

5.       In the Midst of Winter by Isabel Allende. Her newest book about immigration and refugees and the current political climate. 3 main characters. Recommended by paper. "

Please ponder, research and be ready to vote.

Happy reading,
LK

November 2017 recap

Dear Bookclub,

The surprising pleasure of radishes, butter and salt, tasted together, mimicked the surprising pleasure of a bookclub-soap-opera, classic literature, and a mystery, read as one novel. Anne Hood's "the book that matters most", enjoyed by all, was not as expected. Maggie's story dominated, a plus for lovers of French-fare-themed bookclub, but the telegraphed ending was a minus. Hood's descriptions were very well-written especially when involving shocking or uncomfortable subjects; she hooked us with that.

Suggestions for an upcoming read:

"The Last Days of Night" Graham Moore
"Miss Burma" Charmaine Craig. *chosen
"Before We Were Yours"  Lisa Wingate


Happy reading!
LK

November 2017

Dear Bookclub,

Ann Hood's novel about a bookclub centers around a woman whose book that matters most is "From Clare to Here" by Rosalind Arden.
I, of course, immediately looked up the book and found that no such book by Rosalind Arden exists. However, there is a song (see below) and a  book by Christine Breen with a very similar title. Check out the resemblance between Breen and Hood:

Christine Breen author of "So Many Miles to Paradise:from Clare to There"

Ann Hood

Are they aware of each other?  Are they familiar with the tune, "From Clare to Here"? Would they be compatible bookclub members? Hmmmmm.....

Surprises abound through Hood's novel - don't want to say too much....
Looking forward to discussing Ava's 'bookclub' journey with our bookclub.

Like characters in her book, Ann Hood has a passion for reading and writing that began in childhood. When she was in seventh grade she read a book, "How to become an Airline Stewardess", that indeed shaped her life as she wrote her first book while traveling with TWA. To read more about Ann: https://www.annhood.us/bio
 

Finally, two lovely renditions of "From Clare to Here", the Ralph McTell Irish ballad (first is him)...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9B3_of9CY24

... and the referenced, Nancy Griffith:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVFJ0Z-OTqo





Ideas for an upcoming selection:


"The Last Days of Night" Graham Moore
"Miss Burma" Charmaine Craig
"Before We Were Yours"  Lisa Wingate


Happy reading,
LK

October 2017 Recap

Dear Bookclub,
Karen's autumn womb of orange-delight, enveloped our group as we settled in to discuss Ian McEwan's "Nutshell". Enjoying fine wine and absorbing conversation, we tapped into our inner-fetus imaginings to wrap our little heads around McEwan's main character. The journey alongside Shakepeare's "Hamlet" will not be forgotten although Karen's pragmatic style just couldn't jump onto the merry-go-round.

Giving three very good suggestion for an upcoming read, the chance for a landslide vote was nil. Deciding:

"Young Jane Young" Gabrielle Zevin
"Big Little Lies" Liane Moriarty
"Handmaid's Tale" Margaret Atwood *chosen



Up next: Ann Hood's "the book that matters most".

Happy reading,
LK

October 2017 Bookclub News

Stepha Lawson artwork

 Dear Bookclub,

McEwan, at it again, crafting a tale to settle in our brains like a good Brothers Grimm image, has birthed "Nutshell, perfect for our bookclub discussion. Actually, 'tis reminiscent of Shakespeare:


https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/ian-mcewans-nutshell-a-tale-of-betrayal-and-murder-as-told-by-a-fetus/2016/09/12/8b31ba22-7694-11e6-b786-19d0cb1ed06c_story.html?utm_term=.b2546e9faa94


Please, please watch the video at the top of this review. I promise you will love it.

Karen's suggestions for an upcoming read:
 

"Handmaids Tale" Margaret Atwood

"Young Jane Young, a novel" Gabrielle Zevin

"Big Little Lies"  Liane Moriarty

Do your research and please be prepared to vote this Thursday.

Sneaky reading,
LK

Illustration: Bay Leung from "South China Morning Post" 'Nutshell' review

September 2017 Recap

 The Aftermath

Dear Bookclub,
In an attempt to evoke the style and grace of a fine hotel, say the Metropol Hotel, our group gathered around my linen-draped dining room table for a smattering of small bites, tea and of course, wine. Labels included. A discussion of "A Gentleman in Moscow" ensued. All enjoyed it very much, even Martha, who had yet to read it but was a smashing success as the reader's guide leader. Distractions kept me from photographing properly; the aftermath is instead recorded above.

We missed Kim but her presence was well-recognized as we struggled to chose a book from among the fine list she provided:

"News of the World"  Paulette Jiles *chosen
"The Secret She Keeps" Michael Robotham
"Midwinter Break" Bernard MacLaverty



Up next: Dana Point excursion to the Blue Lantern Inn:

October's read: "Nutshell" Ian McEwan

Happy Reading!

LK

September 2017 Bookclub News

Nina!

Dear Bookclub,
Savoring "A Gentleman in Moscow", I better start sipping and chewing a bit faster in time for next week's bookclub. Refreshing in scope and language, Amor Towles has given us a gift to read this month!


Wonderful Amor Towles NPR interview to peruse linked below, describing Towles' process and inspiration for Count Rostov's confined journey:

http://www.npr.org/2016/09/06/492434255/idea-for-gentleman-in-moscow-came-from-many-nights-in-luxury-hotels

the grand dining room of the Metropol

Towles has compiled a brief chronology of citations describing life in the Metropol from various memoirs and Russian novels. He states, "Close readers will note that some of these citations have been collaged into my depiction of the hotel." Please enjoy this incredible selection:

http://www.amortowles.com/gentleman-moscow-amor-towles/moscow-metropol-references/

Finally, forgive me for leading you to all these links, but they are good! This one includes a fabulous, short video of WSJ's Lucy Feldman interviewing Towles in NYC's Russian Tea Room:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/amor-towles-expands-his-portfolio-with-a-gentleman-in-moscow-1472743341


 Kim's suggestions for an upcoming read:

"Midwinter Break" Bernard MacLaverty
"The Secret She Keeps" Michael Robotham
"News of the World" Paulette Jiles

Please research and be ready to vote at our upcoming meeting.

Happy reading!
LK