May 2022 Bookclub News

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The Barrel Room Girls

Dear Bookclub,

Barb's soirée at the Barrel Room proved to be a fine evening for our group to discuss Martha Hall Kelly's "The Lilac Girls". World War II atrocities amazingly seem endless as Kelly's historic fiction shed light on yet another set. Based on the facts of Hitler's concentration camp for women: Ravensbrück,  a German Nazi physician: Herta Oberheruser, and New York philanthropist: Caroline Ferriday, Kelly developed a very compelling story.

from Caroline's garden

Julie shared a wonderful video of Martha Hall Kelly introducing the book. Please take a few minutes, use full screen and enjoy:

https://marthahallkelly.com/lilac-girls/https://marthahallkelly.com/lilac-girls/

Also, please see where Martha's inspiration began at the Bellamy-Ferriday House:

https://ctlandmarks.org/properties/bellamy-ferriday-house-garden/

Bellamy-Ferriday Garden

Martha Hall Kelly's Author's Note gave great insight into her motivation, research and process. Explaining what pieces were her embellishment and which were factual, widened our appreciation and understanding of the book. The "Author's Note" seems to be a modern development. Imagine Louisa Mae Alcott, Charles Dickens or William Shakespeare with an "Author's Note" at the end of their work.

Alcott's Author's Note:

'Little Women' is based on a true story. My three sisters, Anna Bronson, Elizabeth Sewall, and Abigail May,  growing up in a household with financial struggles, frustrations and sharing the experience of being the offspring of an extreme philosopher, provided substantial subject matter. Years of making due in our crumbling home in Concord, set me to work, writing in hopes of helping our family make ends meet. Father would sit under a tree by the side of the road, eager to engage passersby in lively debate about perfecting the human spirit. Townsfolk learned to take another route avoiding interaction......

Dickens' Author's Note:

'Oliver Twist' is based on a true story. Having grown up in the streets after my father was incarcerated in debtor's prison, I labored in a boot-blacking factory and befriended many a sordid character....

Shakespeare's Author's Note:

'Romeo and Juliet' is probably based on a true story, me thinks. An Italian tragedy, stretching back to antiquity, it was translated into verse in 1562 by Arthur Brooke, two years before I was born. With the responsibilities to provide for my wife and three children, my playwriting seeks popularity and this tale seemed a perfect fit....

Barb's suggestions for an upcoming read:

"The Good Left Undone"  Adriana Trigrani

"The Spanish Daughter" Lorena Hughes

"The Maid:  A Novel"  Nita Prose *chosen

 

 

Up next:

 Happy reading,

LK 

April 2022 Bookclub News

Heroes:Elton & Billie Jean

Dear Bookclub,

"All In" meant just four of us gathering to discuss the Billy Jean King memoir. Kate aced it. We were 'served' margaritas by Denny from the baseline followed by a second set of Rubio's on an amazing array of floral dishes at the net....er... dining room table. Prepared for a good match, Kate and I dominated, having finished out the set, while Karen and Julie, with good intentions, had to retire before the end. 

 

Nevertheless, the third set of churros and vanilla ice cream, kept the energy up to the final moment. We appreciated Billie Jean's contributions to the history of tennis with her hard work, talent and success along with her dedication to equality in sports and beyond. Reminiscing about the times, it's hard to imagine the pain and obstacles Billie Jean overcame in her journey.

Narrating the Audible, Billie Jean was authentic, as we realized her emotional experiences still sit at the surface, her voice revealing all. Kate wondered about the photos she missed, included in the hard copy of the book. PDF's available with Audible versions of books can be accessed:

iOS

1. Open the Audible app and go to your library.
2. Tap on the audiobook that has a PDF, to open the player screen.
3. While on the player screen, tap the 3 dots in the upper right corner.
4. Tap Accompanying PDF.
   
   

Unfortunately, there are loads of great pictures in this book yet the accompanying PDF with the Audible version of "All In", does not contain a one. It's a hefty appendix of facts and stats.

https://www.billiejeanking.com/tennis/

For a dive into the world of Billie Jean, please visit her website, which has many wonderful photos and stories.

Kate's suggsstions for an upcoming read:

"Beautiful World, Where are you?" Sally Rooney

"The Last Thing He Told Me" Laura Dave *chosen

"Miss Benson's Beetle" Rachel Joyce

   

Up  next:

Happy reading,

LK

PS During the 2022 Super Bowl, my grandchildren fussed at the coin toss, not knowing the honoree. I set them straight! 

March 2022 Newsletter

 

 

Dear Bookclub,

Amy Tan's memoir, "Where the Past Begins",  gave Lori a-Lori-opportunity, if ever there was one, for a beautifully hosted evening. Adorably appropriate cocktail napkins(see above) and a mouth watering menu including 'fabulous Charm Thai Kitchen spring rolls and delicious soba noodle salad*', as reported by Diane, with 'dumplings and green tea ice cream', as noted by Sue, set the stage.

Happy Bookclubbers

Not being present, I can only recount what I have faintly learned about the evening: discussion was good, thanks to questions created by Lori which added depth and highlighted the many aspects of Tan's life. Phew! I feared a book burning when Lori first sent me some pictures:

Reading and listening to Tan's book, transported me, entertained me and inspired me to reread "The Joy Luck Club", as Karen's recent rereading further sparked the notion. Her mention of the book's Mahjongg scenes really set the wheels in motion.

 

drawn by Angie Wang, circa 1989 from NY Times Book Review of "The Joy Luck Club"

Most enjoyable, I marveled at the writing, and of course the richly crafted stories. Coming upon this quote from a positive review by Carolyn See of the Los Angeles Times : "The only negative thing I could ever say about this book is that I'll never again be able to read it for the first time." I have to disagree. Guessing it has been about three decades since I'd first read it, the 2022 reading hit me like the first time. Struck by the pulling back of the curtain on the Chinese-American experience, I devoured it. "Where the Past Begins" did tint the novel for me as the insight into Tan's relationship with her mother illuminated the possible motivations and intentions I can only surmise may have led Tan's writing.

 

 Lori's suggestions for an upcoming read:

"The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue"  V. E. Schwab

"The Forest of Vanishing Stars" Kristin Harmel"

"West with Giraffes" Lynda Rutledge *chosen

 

Up next:

 

Happy reading,

LK

PS *Vegetarian Soba Noodle Salad recipe from Lori:

https://giadzy.com/recipes/vegetarian-soba-noodle-salad/

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