February 2022 Bookclub News

 

 

 

Dear Bookclub,

How lucky was the little clan of book-clubbers to discover Kim's interpretation of  Amor Towles' "The Lincoln Highway". A most inviting setting with glorious wine and gourmet comfort food, we gathered in the kitchen to keep Kim company while she put the finishing touches on the meal we were to be treated to. Duchess could not have had better.

From the author's website; not as elegant as Kim's

 

Fully engrossed in consuming Kim's Fettucine Mio Amore, I neglected to take any pictures of her perfect presentation, plated on charming china with gleaming red chargers atop linen Valentine-heart-cut placemats. Please enjoy:

https://www.bookclubcookbook.com/amor-towles-fettucine-mio-amore/
 

The saga, rich in characters, gave us much to discuss. An impressive detour of our lively catching up, we readily delved into talking about the "The Lincoln Highway", paved with layers and layers of analyzing motivations and personalities. Kim's prepared questions prompted further pondering and we shared discovered plot-endearments, ultimately leaving us in appreciation of Towles' tale-telling style.

Two interviews with Towles will deepen your appreciation; the first a short from NPR's 'Book of the Day':

https://www.npr.org/2021/10/13/1045800389/amor-towles-the-lincoln-highway-interview

 ..and the second a longer, more in-depth YouTube interview from Minnesota Public Radio with Kerri Miller. Play this nearby while you make your fettucine mio amore. Check out the many interesting snippets like his admission that he must have mother issues, as Kerri points out he removes parents from his novels, keeping that foxhole clear:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-WrAszGhsg

We adored Billy's beloved book but unfortunately, Professor Abernathe's compendioum is a fictional work created by Amor Towles. However, here is a 10-title Intrepid curation of books to read while on the road:

https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/10-books-to-read-while-travelling/

Kim's suggestions for an upcoming read:

"Lilac Girls" Martha Hall Kelly *chosen

"A Place For Us" Fatima Farheen Mirza

"The Forest Of Vanishing Stars" Kristin Harmel

Up next:

Happy reading,

LK

January 2022 Bookclub News

 

Emily's House

Dear Bookclub,

Touted as the 'Original Queen of Social Distancing’, Emily Dickinson has been a figure resonating with our pandemic isolation.  The Homestead and The Evergreens comprise the Emily Dickinson Museum in Amherst, MA and in a different time, a perfect place for us to convene as a bookclub. Alas, we remained mired in the Omicron wave and met virtually. Being on Zoom in lieu of sitting together in a cozy living room, is as ugly as a thumb**. Or a blind cobbler's thumb.***

The Evergreens

https://www.emilydickinsonmuseum.org/

Amy Belding Brown brought to life an understanding of the reclusive poet through the story of her maid, Margaret Maher. Enjoying the well-constructed piece of historic fiction, we appreciated Brown's skillful language, immersing our imaginations with dialect and colorful characters. Admittedly familiar with Emily Dickinson as a 'character' more than her work, we discussed the publication journey, seemingly so integral in any pondering about the author. Please enjoy the following poem and revelations about "The Publication Question":

https://www.emilydickinsonmuseum.org/emily-dickinson/poetry/the-poet-at-work/the-publication-question/

 

 Finally, if you want another adventure into the life of an author through a well-researched and properly seasoned historic novel, please check out Amy Belding Brown's "Mr. Emerson's Wife". Click about on Brown's nice website and charming blog:

Amy Belding Brown

 https://amybeldingbrown.net/

https://amybeldingbrownauthor.wordpress.com/2017/06/05/dickinsons-letter-to-the-world/ 

 

Kate's suggestions for an upcoming read:

"Miss Benson's Beetle" Rachel Joyce

"All In" Billie Jean King *chosen

"Anxious People" Fredrik Backman

Up next:

Happy reading,

LK

** Denny's Irish grandmother's phrase

*** google of Irish slang

December 2021 Bookclub News

 

The Grand Tea Room

 

 Dear Bookclub,

Our December gathering was an indulgent Saturday afternoon tea, where we sipped, delicately devoured, and powerfully conversed (competing tables of enthusiastic women). Trusting I'd have our blog written by Christmas, I struggled for inspiration as the demands of the season and my frenzied fur-children vied for my attention, with creditors from Chewy and Kahoots visiting my inbox. Taking to the streets, I swept through the hills of the Trails, observing merry canines and delivery trucks at every turn. Daylight dwindled yet the atmosphere remained yuletide-infused. The nearly full moon illuminated the landscapes of succulents and holiday adornment. A shadowed movement caught my eye inviting me to swiftly follow. Taking care to remain sure-footed, I found myself on a rock-strewn path, losing ground with the being ahead. Down into a canyon, the creature fled. Interrupted silence jumped my heart - a jingling? A ruby glow punctuated the thick air as a dashing blur left me stone cold. Longing for my cats, my dog and my keyboard overtook. Rushing home, fingers busied themselves as words imagined.

 

If you hadn't a chance to read Samantha Silva's "Mr. Dickens and His Carol", you may be a little lost. Please read it, listen to it, enjoy it! Surprisingly, a few days ago, Nate put a movie on that grabbed my attention for its similarity to our recent read. I was tsk-tsking as the writer was not 'ours'; what robbery! Within a few minutes (but not after I'd annoyingly announced to Nate my disbelief at the situation one too many times), the story veered wildly from Silva's rendition. Turning out to be an entertaining flick, I recommend "The Man Who Invented Christmas" (with Christopher Plummer as Scrooge):

 

 https://bleeckerstreetmedia.com/themanwhoinventedchristmas/ 

 

Brew some tea and reflect upon another fabulous year of bookclub. We missed all who could not attend but all were in our hearts:

 

 

 

 

Up next:

 Jolly reading,

LK

November 2021 Bookclub News

 

from colormeanings.com

 

Dear Bookclub,

Lit by the orange-hued ambience that was Karen's inviting home, we convened to discuss Mark Sullivan's
"Beneath a Scarlet Sky".  Treated to delicious soup, salad and ravioli, our enthusiastic bunch caught up with our latest news, adventures, and plans. Moving from the dining table into the more serious atmosphere of strawberry-rhubarb pie and enlightened-discussion-seating of the family room, talk turned to our November novel. 

 

Pino Lella....

from "Fra Noi.com"

All enjoyed Sullivan's rendition of Pino Lella's life journey although some found the afterward's telling of the real story sad. Please check out the blog piece below revealing some of the findings that veered from Sullivan's historic fiction:

https://www.literaturelust.com/post/why-the-best-selling-novel-beneath-a-scarlet-sky-is-raising-red-flags

And the more entertaining piece from "Fra Noi.com, Chicagoland's Italian American Voice":

 

https://franoi.com/profiles/ww-ii-freedom-fighter-pino-lella/ 

Apparently, Pino Lella has a pose, handsome guy that he was, as this similar stance in a photo posted by Mark Sullivan shows:

Karen's suggestions for an upcoming read:

"Where the Past Begins/ A Writer's Memoir" Amy Tan *chosen

"Firefly Lane" Kristin Hannah

"The Book of Lost Names" Kristin Harmel

 

 

Up next:

 

 Jolly reading,

LK

 

 

October 2021 Bookclub News

 

 

Professor Julie's teaching aids

Dear Bookclub,

Julianne MacLean's "These Tangled Vines" inspired a Tuscan-themed evening fully embraced by our hostess. Wine enhanced by antipasto tuned us up for an organized discussion of the novel. Seated around Julie's dining table, we shared our impressions of MacLean's tangled tale, pronouncing it an enjoyable, light read. Deciding the main event(Anton's 'accident' with Freddie) was ambiguous, the resolutions at the end were appreciated. We especially liked some of the details including the wine vault of family-member-dedicated wines and savored the descriptions of settings and cuisine. And speaking of light cuisine(!), we were treated to a very special dessert that had its own tangled history.

 

oops!

 

Hopefully, Julie is no longer having tiramisu nightmares. Presenting us with a most delicious tiramisu cheesecake, she should be sleeping as snug as a bug in a SNOO. 

Julie's pursuit of the perfect tiramisu, reminded me of my enlightenment about the dessert's history, when I learned about it's meaning, "cheer you up", as my fabulous massage therapist called her business "Tiramisu Massage". Please enjoy: 

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

... and from Randy's blog:

http://www.spumonirestaurants.com/the-origin-of-tiramisu/#

 

 

Finally, to reinforce the misunderstandings surrounding tiramisu, here is a must-see clip of Tom Hanks and Rob Reiner ("Sleepless in Seattle") :

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVwwYxZzlSM

 

 

Julie's suggestions for an upcoming read:

"The Lincoln Highway" Amor Towles*

"The Paper Palace" Miranda Cowley Heller

"Matrix" Lauren Groff

*chosen

Up next:

Happy reading,

LK

September 2021 Bookclub News

 

 

  

 

Dear Bookclub, 

Contemplating the preparation for our exploration into Shobha Rao's "Girls Burn Brighter",  I wasted no time deciding that I would not be preparing Indian fare. 

Table awaiting enthusiastic friends and Indian fare from Curry & More.

 

The banana dessert, however, (always room for dessert), conceptualized with ease*.

 

Avoidance of the discomforting topic aside, our group graciously assembled, enjoyed the Indian fare and tackled an in-depth discussion of Rao's novel. It was wonderful to be together! Quickly embracing the gravity and reality of the horrific situations presented, we focused on the themes Rao recounted. The friendship between Poornima and Savitha was paramount yet the settings and situations seared in our readers' minds. Hardship and humiliation unshakable.

Going around the table with prepared questions forced facing the culturally-fueled dilemmas and appreciation of the women's relationship. We agreed many incidents bordered on the unbelievable but we believed. The author's short-story style was noted by Karen, as chapters often felt chopped. Julie shared a map of her travels to India, giving us a perspective of the location of Indravalli. 

 

(not Julie's map)

 

https://www.deccanherald.com/content/190059/apathy-mars-vatiganahalli-indravalli-colonies.html

 

The larger concern, atrocious treatment of women, could not be owned by this story; it has no setting, no place in time. A reminder of the endless variations on friendship, being a woman and the journey for justice, "Girls Burn Brighter" unlocked the power of our empathy. 

Frustrated by the ambiguous ending, we could only conclude that the author did not 'nail-it'. Some wanted a blatant 'good ending' while Martha shared her belief that the foreshadowing was too bold and therefore diminished the ending. The liberty of a short story did not work for us in this novel, yet Rao's ability to skillfully bring to light this devastating drama is unforgettable.

My suggestions for an upcoming read:

 "Emily's House" Amy Belding Brown* chosen

"Hour of the Witch" Chris Bohjalian

"Persuasion" Jane Austen

Up next:

Happy reading,

LK

 

*https://www.purewow.com/recipes/hummingbird-cupcakes-pineapple-flowers

August 2021 Bookclub News

 

 

 

London, the evening's mascot

Dear Bookclub,

Matt Haig's "The Midnight Library" lurked, an object on an imaginary shelf in Sue's living room, while we yapped around her table of libations in the family room. Eventually herded into the living room with the late-arriving golf girls, we settled into comfort to debate. After Sue presented the San Diego Union Tribune's Festival of Books, happening in a few days,  attention turned to the upcoming bookclub selection. Our usual 'tie' between suggestions sparked discussion about who had already read what, the length of the books, declarations of reading books anyway. With a fresh poll, hands raised and throwing in an absentee vote to ensure an odd number to tip towards a winner, "Beneath a Scarlett Sky" was chosen. The evening's delightful guest, Kate's sister, Nellie, wondered if that was it  for our evening's discussion. Oh no! We were warming up for our circle of deep thought. 

Going around the room, sharing our opinions and impressions about the book, a variety of responses - from being lost to getting bogged down by the regrets to appreciating the relationship Nora had with her brother, the fantasy of the perfect life, and what really happened in the end, .... opened up a larger consideration of the author's motivation. 

Personally, after having read the book twice for different bookclubs, the cliches began to annoy me and I decided to figure out who this author thinks he is, writing an obviou$ bookclub $election for the ma$$e$. I softened. In an interview with The Guardian, Haig is open about his stuggle with depression and anxiety:

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/nov/17/matt-haig-i-wanted-to-end-it-all-surviving-and-thriving-is-the-lesson-i-pass-on 

And another about his newer book, "Reasons to Stay Alive" (nonfiction):

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/jul/01/matt-haig-i-have-never-written-a-book-that-will-be-more-spoofed-or-hated

 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25733573-reasons-to-stay-alive 

Sue's suggestions for an upcoming read: 

"Beneath a Scarlett Sky" Mark Sullivan *chosen

"Hour of the Witch" Chris Bohjalian

"Falling" T. J. Newman 

Up next:

Mindful reading,

LK