June 2021 Bookclub News

 Destitute pea pickers in California: Mother of seven children, aged thirty-two. Nipoma, California, March 1936 

by Dorothea Lange(1895-1965)

Dear Bookclub,

Desperation. Here and now. There and then. Kristin Hannah's novel illuminated not only the dire conditions and horrific challenges of the dust bowl but spotlighted, to our readers, the continued abuse of migrant workers and misuse of natural resources, resulting in human rights issues and man-made environmental disaster. "The Four Winds" ended with Elsa's journey but the tale is repeated over and over again, eerily all around us, as Diane's share of last week's Union Tribune piece confirms:

West Coast Tomato houses seasonal workers at this North River Road location, but the lease ends in January.

(Phil Diehl)

 https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/communities/north-county/story/2021-06-13/tomato-grower-to-house-600-seasonal-workers

Pets, shocked by suddenly being left at home while masters re-enter the public world, experience post-pandemic anxiety. Transferred to my experience entering the cacophony of the Rancho Bernardo-Bermuda-Triangle of patio-restaurants including The Barrel Room, I was apprehensive.  What a scene! But the welcoming long table of our dear bookclub held strong as Barb generously hosted and led our tribe in a well-organized discussion. A fantastic 100 percent had read the book which gave way to a shared circle, each member contributing ideas and opinions about the book. Admiration for the strength of the women: Elsa, Loreda and Rose especially, contributed to the enjoyment of the swift read although some had misgivings about the romantic element. At times difficult to read, descriptions of the struggles throughout the saga where arduous and drawn-out, appropriately weighing the reader down as if buried by dust and suffocated by hate. I wanted to bring in an editor but perhaps the exhausting literary element proved effective as is. 

Hannah's descriptions are well documented:

Oakies on US 66 1935.... and more:

 

 

The audible was read by actress, Julia Whelan. A bonus interview at the end of the book with both Kristin Hannah and Julia is outstanding. 

 

Julia Whelan, narrarator

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julia_Whelan

Please listen to this little clip - unfortunately, I cannot locate a link to  the full conversation but here is an excerpt:

https://soundcloud.com/macaudio-2/four-winds-bonus-conversation-excerpt/s-aB6UXIxyZhm

Most interesting to me was Hannah's revelation that through much of her two year writing process,  Elsa and Loreda were sisters. Ultimately using the tensions between a mother and daughter, Hannah instead chose to shift gears and the resulting relationship was her vehicle for the story. Candidly sharing the shaping of this novel and her motivations in writing her other novels, the author's talent is apparent given the breadth of topics and different styles throughout her works.

 

Barb's suggestions for an upcoming read:

"This Tender Land" William Kent Krueger

"Girls Burn Brighter" Shobha Rao *chosen

"The Doctors Blackwell" Janice P. Nimura

Up next:

 

Happy reading,

LK

May 2021 Bookclub News

 

Viola Davis (audible narrator) and Cicely

 May 21 #fanartFriday Twitter

   

Dear Bookclub,

A brilliantly orchestrated outdoor evening, produced by our own in-house event coordinator-extraordinaire, included another visit by a glowing moon, boxed delectable charcuterie, warm cobbler, and the pièce de résistance: a fabulously individually-delivered, wi-fi shared interview by Gayle King with Cicely Tyson. Only Diane can out-do Diane! 

 

Tyson's frank interview sparked our discussion and reinforced our admiration for the icon's amazing abilities and contributions. 

 

https://www.showbiz411.com/2021/01/28/cicely-tyson-published-her-memoir-on-tuesday-now-its-number-1-see-her-interview-with-gayle-king 

Historical events provided the scaffold for Cicely's telling of her journey and motivations, eye-opening and emotional, providing a clear path to communing with the plights of African Americans... women in particular. Our observations spanned the spectrum from how far society has come (media's depictions, equal rights movements, cultural representation) to the power of psyche in love, in the arts and in behavior. While being serenaded by Miles Davis over Diane's speakers, we analyzed Cicely's relationship with the drug-addled musician.

Cicely on Miles' album cover

Dying merely two days after "Just As I Am" was published, Tyson's timing for her departure seems dramatic and meaningful, in step with the rhythm of her life. I have searched high and low and cannot find a specific reason for her death, although one unofficial source named it a heart murmur since birth. Please take a moment to watch a clip from her funeral:

 

https://nypost.com/2021/02/16/clintons-tyler-perry-attend-private-nyc-memorial-for-cicely-tyson/ 

 

Diane's suggestions for an upcoming read:

"The Midnight Library" Matt Haig *(chosen)

"Radium Girls" Kate Moore

"Dirt: Adventures, with Family, in the Kitchens of Lyon, Looking for the Origins of French Cooking" Bill Buford

Up next:

Happy reading.

LK

April 2021 Bookclub News

Dear Bookclub,

With a sliver of new moon adorning the sky above, we gathered around the fire pit in Martha's welcoming backyard to discuss Lucy Foley's "The Guest List". As one member remarked, it was like Girl Scouts... pizza and s'mores in a circle around the fire (my troop did not serve wine). The breath of fresh air, being together zoomless, and the literally sweet, fresh air rejuvenated. 

Chatting and chatting, en masse and in little groups, the freedom enabled bookclub as we love and know it. Finally getting down to the circular share of book opinions, the critiques spanned from deeming it a predictable read to commending the page-turning mystery.

Bog Body

Suspenseful with a full guest list of characters motivated to wish harm on the victim, we considered the histories and personalities of each. The setting was beautifully described as disquieting and unique - I was always waiting for an arm to come out of the bog and grab someone. Which brings me to the above image.

 

Irish Peat Bog

More cool photos and great explanation:

https://www.claddaghdesign.com/history/ireland-bog-bodies/

... and more famous bog bodies:

https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2016/03/were-europes-mysterious-bog-people-human-sacrifices/472839/ 

Martha's suggestions for an upcoming read:

"The Razor's Edge" W. Somerset Maugham *chosen

"The Weight of Ink" Rachel Kadish

"The Midnight Library" Michael Haig

Up next:

 

Happy reading,

LK
 

March 2021 Bookclub News

 

Deart Bookclub,

Like a milky, tepid cuppa tea, Jacqueline Winspear's memoir went down easily. Perhaps being tepid, "This Time Next Year We'll be Laughing" did not leave us clamoring for more. The setting & era, war-torn England, shaped the author's upbringing and sensibilities. Her childhood tales told of the discomforts and oddities complete with colorful characters, the English countryside to be counted among them. Winspear's Maisie Dobbs' mystery series is set after WWI, inspired by her family's stories. Please enjoy this great interview with the author about her inspiration, shedding light on her memoir.

https://www.bookbrowse.com/author_interviews/full/index.cfm/author_number/1028/jacqueline-winspear 

 

                                     Never having read a Maisie Dobbs novel, this opportunity led me to it and I found the first in the series quite enjoyable given my heightened interest in Winspear. Meanwhile......

 

Relishing the freedom of an intimate dinner under a beautiful evening sky on the Veranda, Martha, Lori and I, deeply breathed in the fresh air, mask-less, and admittedly had a skimpy conversation about the book. So many other topics to catch up on. How nice it was to be together! We should have had a beer:

 

British hops field

I was not quite sure about hops, here's a little delving (involves more than beer):

https://www.britishhops.org.uk/

The book is dedicated to Jacqueline's brother, John and their parents, Joyce and Albert. Giving much vivid energy to her family, especially to what seemed outrageous attitude from her mother, Winspear's strong familial positive emotion felt surprising. I wonder if Jacqueline's ultimate success in life both as a writer and cheerful contributor to society plays a role in her ability to overcome some of these heart-breaking obstacles. Well, there is: "This time next year we'll be laughing"!

Lori's selections for an upcoming read:

"The Four Winds"    Kristin Hannah  *chosen

"The Book of Lost Friends"    Lisa Wingate 

"The Book of Lost Names" Kristin Harmel

 

Up next:

Happy reading!

LK

February 2021 Bookclub News

 

Nevil Shute Norway

Dear Bookclub,

An imaginative tale, created by the 'Slide Rule', "A Town Like Alice" charmed me.

Nevil Shute's 1954 autobiography, "Slide Rule: An Autobiography of an Engineer" follows Nevil S. Norway's life as an aeronautical engineer. Dropping Norway to create his pen name, Shute didn't want the engineering world to  infer that he was not a serious person. Author of dozens of novels, several made into movies, serialized for television, and even broadcast on BBC radio, Shute's literary career glittered among his many achievements:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nevil_Shute

 

In Slide Rule Shute writes about Sir Alan Cobham's aerial refuelling research: "I shall always remember standing up half out of the Courier trying to catch this thing (the refueling line) as we flew in formation below the Handley Page..." This figure is either Nevil Shute or Squadron Leader W. Helmore.

The above photo and quote are from the Nevil Shute Foundation's website, filled with details about Shute's life and influencing experiences that later appeared in his writing. Fun to peruse and a must to appreciate his many layers.

 http://www.nevilshute.org/PhotoLine/photoline2.php

 

 

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/may/21/the-australian-book-youve-finally-got-time-for-on-the-beach-by-nevil-shute 

 Missing much of the discussion, I am relying on the recap given by Karen and Sue. Karen relayed that much had been discussed and Sue shared that she remembers the movie "On the Beach" (see above). The dated nature of the book, when a young woman was not to be trusted with an inheritance, was noted and it was felt that the middle of the novel bogged down a bit. "A Town Like Alice" did cover a lot of territory, literally and figuratively: war, survival, a legacy, romance, business savvy, friendship, humanity and more. A recipe for a good read to me!

Australia's Red Centre / Alice Springs

Finally, next time you are in Australia, consider Alice Springs:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kaeliconforti/2020/01/30/4-things-to-do-on-your-first-trip-to-alice-springs-australia/?sh=4093a0b6757b

 

Lynne's suggestions for an upcoming read:

"The Midnight Library" Mat Haig

"Anxious People" Fredrik Backman

"Just as I Am:A Memoir" Cicely Tyson* (chosen)

Up next:

Happy reading,

LK

January 2021 Bookclub News

 

Dear Bookclub,

Jeanine Cummins' "American Dirt", released to critical acclaim, quickly became smudged in an unfortunate series of literary marketing posturing. Not to be deterred, (an Oprah selection!), (compelling topic!), (cool-looking cover!), we took on the read, debating both the content and the surrounding publishing circumstance. Lydia and Luca's suspenseful journey fired our passion and thought about the injustice and danger of the many situations motivating individual survival. The extreme circumstances, shockingly familiar in our knowledge of current events and eerily not so far removed, stung with discomfort. Our discussion tipped towards the literary controversy, as the novel's power held its own. We agreed that Cummins' book was well-written, clearly owned, and as Diane succinctly stated, "a novel - as announced in the title". No mal-intent by the author but a very interesting study of the ever-evolving business and marketing of books. 

The controversy then and now:

New York Times, March 2020, Oprah's Book Club

 When asked whether she anticipated the negative reaction to it, Cummins said, “I definitely worried about this moment, about being called to account for having written the book.”

She said she regretted a widely criticized line in the book’s author’s note, in which she wrote that she wished someone “slightly browner” had written the story. Talking with Winfrey, Cummins called it a “clumsy phrase,” adding that it was “indicative of my own sort of grappling with my identity in these pages.”

Cummins also drew criticism for writing about her husband’s immigration to the U.S. from Ireland without noting his ethnicity. During the episode, she said his background was “absolutely relevant in why I was drawn to writing about immigration issues, and I felt like it was a thing that I wanted to mention,” but said she regretted conflating her husband’s experience with that of asylum seekers at the Mexico-U.S. border.

Oprah explained her decision in choosing the book and defended Cummins' right to write the book:

I fundamentally, fundamentally believe in the right of anyone to use their imagination and their skills to tell stories and to empathize with another story,” Winfrey said. 

Please read more about this in Concepción de León's New York Times' article:

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/06/books/american-dirt-oprah-book-club-apple-tv.html 

Cummins pre book tour cancellation

By the end of January, fearing violent backlash, "The American Dirt" book tour was cancelled, including scheduled appearances by Cummins at our local Northern Trust's Literary Society events.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/death-threats-against-the-author-of-american-dirt-threaten-us-all/2020/01/30/ec5070e8-430d-11ea-aa6a-083d01b3ed18_story.html

 

...and now:

from The New York Magazine Jan. 5, 2021

'Blurbed to Death

How one of publishing’s most hyped books became its biggest horror story — and still ended up a best seller."

Turns out the death threats were really just plans of protests outside of booksellers where Cummins would be reading. Sounds tame these days... but what did we know then about protests?!

Please enjoy:

https://www.vulture.com/article/american-dirt-jeanine-cummins-book-controversy.html

Back to our discussion, Martha pointed out that Lydia felt like a caricature of a white suburban woman and not a typical Mexican woman seeking to flee her country. I am sure she put this much more eloquently, but her point was well-taken and part of what much criticism of the book embodied. Lori recounted a visit she had made years ago to Acapulco, totally unaware of the dangerous environment, unsettled by witnessing armed protection in the midst of the vacation surroundings:

https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2016/dec/13/gunfire-tourist-resort-acapulco-mexico-torn-apart-violence 

 

Acapulco: glamour to gunfire

 Finally, I must include an image of the library the Lydia and Luca visit in Mexico City as I adore libraries:

Biblioteca Miguel Lerdo de Tejada

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/biblioteca-miguel-lerdo-de-tejada

 

 

Kate's suggestions for an upcoming read:

"Anxious People" Fredrik Backman

"The Midnight Library" Matt Haig

"Maybe You Should Talk to Someone" Lori Gottleib

"The Guest List" Lucy Foley *chosen

Up next:

Happy reading,

LK

December 2020 Recap

 

 

Mistletoe Martini

Dear Bookclub,

A most unusual Christmas Bookclub to round out our most unusual year, as we zum gali gali'd around ye olde computer screens:

obscure reference

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82Ht1xHLqd0

 

Most festively decked out, from her red dining room chairs to her mistletoe martini, Diane wowed us and in the finest holiday spirit, overlooked that not one of us had finished the book, except herself. She regaled us with tales of holiday mixology as we enviously spied her gorgeous drink.

 

Our Christmas Angel

The above pictured drink was in her hand; we inquired: she reeled off the ingredients. I wished I could remember exactly what she said and when I later googled the recipe, I could not replicate. Graciously, she later shared her tweaks to this:

* https://mixthatdrink.com/mistletoe-martini/

Diane's modifications: no simple syrup, subbed rosemary for the mint garnish and served in a martini glass out of the shaker, so no ice in the glass as it is pictured on the website and looking more like the one above.

Moving right along, our intellectual conversation turned to the peanut butter cup I held in hand:  

https://www.cuisineathome.com/recipes/drinks/peanut-butter-cup-cocktail/

Again, Diane, brought us up to speed with the full, fascinating history of Skrewball, the peanut butter whiskey featured in said drink, master-minded here in San Diego County. Truly, worth reading is the following story about the Ocean Beach Yengs, he a Cambodian refugee and polio survivor and she, his wife, a chemist and patent attorney.

The Yengs

I, also, did not read "Jane and the Twelve Days of Christmas"

https://www.skrewballwhiskey.com/story/

 

Right about now, an appreciation for Stephanie Barron surfaced. The author of our December selection is actually Francine Mathews. Mystery solved.

Francine Stephanie Barron was born in Binghamton, New York and grew up in Washington D.C., the youngest of six sisters. Earning degrees from both Princeton and Stanford, the former intelligence analyst with the CIA has written more than 25 novels.

 Please enjoy:

https://francinemathews.com/author-bio/

 

Then, we were treated to an unexpected arrival as Martha joined our conversation! So happy to see and hear from our beloved member, we caught up on her family's recent journey and with great interest, she asked about ours. 

Circling back to the focus of the meeting, a bookclub, not drinking club, I learned that "Jane" was indeed available as an audible, and I lamented that I would have certainly polished it off (like a steaming bowl of brandy and lemon) if I had only known. Having researched this option on my Amazon account, I found that the only editions were hardcover, paperback and kindle. I was reading away on my paperback edition but seasonal obligations kept me from finishing.

The Christmas Angel informed us that she had listened to it (!) at 2X (!!) and lo and behold, she's on it! Looking to purchase the selection, it turns out the audible version is free and did not appear in my search.. live and learn. I have since downloaded the audible. Hope you will benefit from this info.

My suggestions for an upcoming read:

"This Time Next Year We'll Be Laughing" Jacqueline Winspear *chosen

"Caste" Isabel Wilkerson

"The Grammarians" Cathleen Schine

 

Up next:

Happy reading,

LK