July Bookclub Recap

Dear Bookclub,
A short and sweet visit; I was so sorry to miss the reported discussion on "Defending Jacob" at Kate's. From Diane, Julie and Kate: great debate and pondering about the murder gene and family dynamics ensued around the dining table (also great food and drink!) "Jake was guilty; Jake was innocent; Jake's mother did it." Everyone agreed that it was an engaging read.

Kate further addressed, "Reactive Attachment Disorder with which Jacob was diagnosed, although it was noted in the book that this would  be a very unusual diagnosis for a boy without severe attachment (abandonment) or abuse issues with his primary caregiver. I don't think a boy raised as Jacob was could have this diagnosis. I do think there were several underdeveloped or unsubstantiated ideas thrown at the reader in this book - probably why we had so many different interpretations and opinions in our discussion. Regardless, the book certainly held my attention and was a great topic for discussion." 

Fantastic titles were presented by Kate for November's choice:

~ "The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down: A Hmong Child, Her American Doctors and the Collision of Two Cultures" by Anne Fadiman

~ ""The Book of Unknow Americans: A Novel" by Cristina Henriquez

~ "Euphoria" by Lily King

~"To Rise Again at a Decent Hour" by Joshua Ferris *chosen

Holiday plans are being researched. Kate and Karen have graciously agreed to be our committee. Stay tuned. Thank you so much K & K!!

And it's Throwback Thursday........


From March 2005:

 

Happy Reading,
LK

July Bookclub News

Dear Bookclub,
Not with typical family drama, William Landay's twisted tale, "Defending Jacob", presents the Barbers on a spiraling downward course of disturbing events. Discussion will be wide-eyed. Please RSVP to Kate for our next meeting, this Thursday, July 17.

Pictured above is James Fallon, a neuroscientist from UC Irvine, and his family. Studying the brains of psychopaths for nearly 20 years, Fallon made a startling discovery: his ancestry of violent murderers. And there's much more..... please check out the story below:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127888976

Interesting that the mentioned factor of child abuse in the NPR report seems to be missing in Landay's book.  Obviously this is not a precise and exacting condition... many factors involved.

Careful reading! (then you can reward yourself with a carefree reading!)
LK

An Extensive Exploration of "The Invention of Wings"

Dear Bookclub,
From the Charleston inspired she-crab soup to the story quilt, Diane's comprehensively designed evening of discussion for "The Invention of Wings" was a rich experience and hugely appreciated. Joining us were Diane's sister-in-law, Jean Knoepfle, and niece, Becky Knoepfle, both visiting from Punta Gorda, FL, both on Eastern Time, and both had read the book. Very good guests and great sports, indeed!

Our large circle around the fire-pit overlooking the valley of Rancho Bernardo, unwittingly broadcast our deep approval of Sue Monk Kidd's profound story. Agreeing that it was perfectly told, we marveled at the contrasts of privilege, freedom, place and time.

Diane sought out and found a marvelous "story quilt" in keeping with the concept in our book. Marilyn Bigelow was kind enough to lend her tribute-quilt made in memory of her father for our meeting. The leaves of fall were depicted using a method involving gathering real leaves as templates and then creating an imagery of shadows using a spray bleaching technique. So lush and creative... the photo below does not quite reflect all the intricate styling described.

Next, we were ushered into Diane's living room, where Chip, the bartender was now the AV coordinator, magically bringing Oprah and Sue Monk Kidd before us:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9HH_-FlG2E


Diane bravely recommended FOUR suggestions for an upcoming selection:

1) "Lean In" by Sheryl Sandberg
2) "Wild" by Cheryl Strayed
3) "Under the Wide and Starry Sky" by Nancy Horan
4)  "An Irish Country Doctor" by Patrick Taylor *

*chosen


Our final journey was into the transformed dining room, where the quilt had been replaced:

 

No words necessary, except it was as amazing as it looks.

Happy Reading!

LK

June 2014 Bookclub News

Dear Bookclub,
Our next meeting is fast approaching; June 19 at Diane's to discuss "The Invention of Wings" by Sue Monk Kidd. Set in antebellum Charleston, South Carolina, this is the author's first historical novel, based on the remarkable true story of Sarah Grimke´: abolitionist, writer, suffragist!

  

Oprah has gone a bit crazy over this book (which is not a bad thing) and has filled the electronic versions with her 'notes' (which I have yet to find of interest). I hope you are able to glide right over them. They are downright babble. (Sarah would have thought so too).

 

As always, I am intrigued by the various covers of books. One can only wonder why the more beautiful version of the British publication is supplanted by the more menacing US version:

Happy Reading!
LK

PS RSVP to Diane :)

May 2014 Meeting

Dear Bookclub,
Lori treated us to an immersion of "After Her" culture at last night's meeting. Not only did she research and find Marin Joe's:

http://www.marinjoesrestaurant.com/
(Check out the blurred faces in the photos... hmmmmm)

...she made us incredible Italian meatballs and amazing raspberry-laden tiramisu. In order to ignore the shoelaces in her centerpiece, I had to have three(3) glasses of wine. After all, I'd walked to Lori's.

After agreeing that the story was interesting but the writing dragged with "Show don't tell, please!", we softened to the process and Maynard's intent when Lori presented Joyce Maynard discussing the book with the real-life sisters, and daughters of the chief homicide detective of the Trailside murders. Please take a few minutes to see on this youtube video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZmyOrDQCf8


Hopefully, some of the discussion of "At Home in the World", will encourage more to read it. Very different and truly compelling.

Lori recommended three outstanding books for an upcoming selection:
"The Goldfinch" by Donna Tartt
"The Light Between Oceans: A Novel"  by M.L. Stedman*
"The Whip" by Karen Kondazia

* chosen


Happy Reading,
LK

May 2014 Bookclub News

Dear Bookclub,
We are meeting next Thursday, May 29 at Lori's to discuss "After Her" by Joyce Maynard. At the risk of the ire of the repetition police, please read "At Home in the World", also by Joyce Maynard if you have a chance. Both books are fast reads, entirely different; the former is a novel; the later a memoir about her experience with J.D. Salinger. Very good.


Joyce, then:

and now:

Please RSVP to Lori.

Happy Reading!
LK

Happy Huntington

Dear Bookclub,
Our tour group had a fantastic time in Pasadena this past week, escaping the terrible fire conditions here in San Diego for the peaceful hot hills of San Marino. Greeted by the Langham's floral entry, we shifted gears quickly.

Sipping pink drinks Thursday afternoon, calmed the frazzled nerves stirred by the smoke and tasks of packing the evacuation bags, and then unpacking them, and then wondering if they should have been kept packed(!) as the Cocos fire blew up while we drove through Escondido. Really good pink drinks.



Chinese Garden Tea & Tour

Friday morning we joined Janet Keyes, our highly informative docent, for a delightful tour of the Chinese Garden. Guiding us through the Garden of Flowing Fragrance, Janet enlightened us about the Walk of Colorful Clouds, moon gates, bamboo rocks, the Jade Ribbon Bridge, the Pavilion of the Three Friends, the Terrace that Invites the Mountains among many other elements and points of interest.

As we learned more and more about the inspiration behind the garden, our peaceful awe was explained - this was designed for scholarly pursuits. The harmony and balance created a fertile environment for literary and artistic activities - we were feeling the love!

Later, in response to our inquiry, Janet kindly shared a list of books about botany (and China):

 Charles Elliott, The Transplanted Gardener. An American in England Looks at Hedges, Ha-ha's, History and More.

 Charles Lyte, The Plant Hunters.

 Rebecca Rothenburg. The Bulrush Murders. (She only wrote 4 books but they all have botanic themes/clues - especially this one.)

 Robert Van Gulik, The Haunted Monastery, The Chinese Maze Murders, and others. (Van Gulik was a Dutch diplomat and Chinese scholar. His novels are set in 18th cent. China and based on stories about a Tang era magistrate named Dee. All the books have wood block illustrations). 

 Dai Sijie and Ina Rilke, Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress: A Novel.

 Xinran, The Good Women of China: Hidden Voices. (Powerful stories.)
  

Further Fun

After the tour, the tea refreshed us further for the afternoon scramble of seeing as much as possible before fatigue flattened us. It was a successful pursuit: Children's Garden, mansion, library, The Secrets of Archimedes (this was very, very cool!!!!! Please check it out: http://www.huntington.org/secretsofarchimedes/), and the gift shop of course.

Our dinners were great (highlights:our driver Al, our other drivers and the stories behind them; zucchini bread; the Parkway Grill; Green Street Restaurant; ivy wall).

We are already scheming for our next year's trip - no decisions just relishing the sweetness of being together!

Happy Reading,

LK