December 2024 Bookclub News

 

Spot the Difference!

Dear Bookclub,

Festively ensconced in the Vintana holiday luncheon mayhem, our lovely group gathered to discuss Claire Keegan's "Small Things Like These". Discussion was challenging due to a long table in bustling surroundings; generally, the book was well-liked although some found the depressing topic not in keeping with the season. As a "Christmas read", Keegan's tale is more Dickensonian than Fannie Flagg. Blindsided by the unexpected ending, we wanted more, yet deeply appreciated the beauty of the unsaid. One can only hope that pragmatic Eileen, Furlong's wife, will honour Christmas in her heart and try to keep it all the year (as a dutiful Ebeneezer would), allowing young Sarah to flourish. Keegan's tapestry of characters, most notably Mrs. Wilson and Ned, lent a believable, memorable flow to the novella

Keegan's book sparked a curiosity about the laundry and the timing of the story. The Magdalende Laundries, also known as Magdalene asylums were in existence from the 18th century into the late 20th century, the last one closing in 1994:

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

 

The above images are from the Justice for Magdalene Research website, an organization dedicated to educating the public about and supporting research into the Magdalene Laundries. Please read more about the history and ongoing struggle to recognize the wrongful institutional abuse of 10,000 + women:

http://jfmresearch.com/

 

 

On December 3, 2024, Oprah announced this selection as being her latest pick for her bookclub. Check out the 109 books she has chosen since 1996... you will recognize quite a few!

https://www.oprahdaily.com/entertainment/books/g23067476/oprah-book-club-list/

 

As our luncheon came to a close, truth stranger than fiction delivered an unbelievable moment, as our waiter revealed that he had been a kindergarten student of Lori's! The moving moment was a huge tribute to the influence we know Lori holds with her caring gift in the classroom and beyond:

Lori and Arjuna

 

Finally, our Gently Hugged efforts, spearheaded by Julie, were much appreciated by Sharon who received Julie's delivery just days after our luncheon. Gently Hugged distributed 905 bags of newborn clothing, board books and blankets to needy babies throughout San Diego County last year. This is a record yet requests for help outnumber what they've been able to supply. Gently Hugged will expand their operations to a second site in the Carlsbad area. The current Rancho Bernardo site will continue unchanged. Please read more about the organization and how you can continue to help throughout the year:

https://gentlyhugged.org/home/

 

Up next:

 

 Happy 2025 reading!

LK

 

November 2024 Bookclub News

 

Friendsgiving

 

Dear Bookclub,

Our November bookclub has a whole new twist - Friendsgiving is here to stay!  Our evening, pleasantly set in Sue's home, had all the ingredients of an evening beautifully shared with pleasing potluck, a great book for discussion and merry members. Monica Wood's "How to Read a Book" teemed with topics to debate and recall, as we dug deep into our reading experience. Violet, Harriet and Frank wove an endearing tale, (well it was really Monica) and we were entertained and enlightened: poetry! talking birds! Portland - (Maine, that is)!

 

 

 

 

London, politely participating

Diane's share of her realization that the signed copy of "How to Read a Book" gifted from a friend whose home-bookstore is the one and only depicted in the novel was, as Diane would describe, 'a hoot'!

 

Print: A Bookstore, Portland, ME

The birds and the inmates were both enriched by language and the interaction with others. Reading progams in prisons abound; searching on the web yields many results.

 

Book Clubs for Inmates is a program based in Toronto with an interesting list of recent reads:

http://www.bookclubsforinmates.com/what-we-are-reading

Also, please check out this DC based program, "Free Minds" which includes writing:

https://freemindsbookclub.org/about-us/who-we-are/

Dr. Irene Pepperberg

Finally, please watch this short, amazing and beautiful video about avian cognition, featuring Dr. Irene Pepperberg, whose work Monica Wood based the animal intelligence studies in her novel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEWRlOAn6Po

 

Sue's suggestions for an upcoming read:

"Know My Name" Chanel Miller

"Eva of the Nation" Katherine Kirby Smith

"James" Percival Everett * chosen

 

 Up next:

 Happy reading,

LK

October 2024 Bookclub News

Dear Bookclub,

October at Karen's just feels right with pumpkin charm abounding. Everything fall, from chips to chocolates, put us in a chatty mood, catching up and eventually settling around the table to discuss Sue Meissner's latest book, "Only the Beautiful". The telling of the practice of sterilizing 'unfit' humans, a form of eugenics, with her historic novel was widely appreciated by our group. Meissner's topic choices have always interested us greatly her, and her crafting has steadily advanced with each novel. This page-turner both educated and distressed us.

a 1930's exhibit by the Eugenic Society

 

Please delve into the wikipedia page on eugenics (see above):

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

 

....and compulsory sterilization, note:

As of 19 July 2021 it was reported that:

"under new provisions signed into California's budget this week, the state will offer reparations for the thousands of people who were sterilized in California institutions, without adequate consent, often because they were deemed "criminal", "feeble-minded" or "deviant".

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

Meissner's character Rosie cleverly intertwined both synesthesia and sanitariums into the storyline. Please read more about both in the links below:

MIT Press Reader "A Brief 200-year History.."

https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/a-brief-200-year-history-of-synesthesia/

The piece is a great reminder that not everyone sees the world as you do.

"The Castle" at Napa State Hospital

 

 

Search for the history of the sterilization program:

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

 

Hospital still in operation:

https://www.dsh.ca.gov/Napa/ 

Karen's suggestions for an upcoming read:

"The Thursday Murder Club" Richard Osman *chosen

"The Briar Club" Kate Quinn

"All the Colors of the Dark" Chris Whitaker

Up next: 

Happy reading,

LK

September 2024 Bookclub News

 

 

Dear Bookclub,

Lynne's courage, cheerfulness and resolution were in full force as she treated us to a delicious dinner, spirited discussion and welcoming camaraderie: our evening with Erik Larson's "The Splendid and the Vile".  Family heirloom china set the proper mood for Larson's account of Winston Churchill's first year as Britain's Prime Minister, reflective of "Keep Calm and Carry On". Slogans aside, we marveled at Churchill's brazen style, winning warfare and most of all, the depictions culled from Larson's crafting of historical documents, notably diaries.

Diaries provide colorful historic significance, which Larson mined and reported. A generation removed may not have yielded the same rich veins. I fear that most attempts at daily recording throughout my life have failed. Although armed with the finest blank books, from delicate childhood leather-bound diaries, shiny with gold-edge paper, pitiful tiny keys and locks, to hand-tooled leather cover specimens holding thick cotton paper, to the practical Moleskin varieties, the outcome is meager. Most of my books sport a few pages with well-intentioned starts but none would be Larson-worthy. The sped-up smartphone-driven world has reduced my trail to digital photos of family, friends, receipts, flowers, broken sprinklers, parking spaces, and screenshots of odd items meant to remind me of a task. It will take a fine writer, indeed, to make sense of our histories.

 

Mary Soames

Please enjoy this link to an exhibition, curated by history students from Anglia Ruskin University, and produced to coincide with a two day international conference on diaries held at Churchill College and online, 23 and 24 March 2022:

https://www.chuarchivestories.uk/stories/keeping-and-making-diaries 

Mary Soames, youngest daughter of Winston and Clementine Churchill, married to Christopher Soames, is one of many whose diaries are on display in this link. Note, the various handwriting and well-transcribed entries included.

 

 Lynne's suggestions for an upcoming read:

"Master Slave Husband Wife" Ilyon Woo  *chosen

"The Secret Life of Sunflowers" Marta Molnar

 "The Five Wishes or MurrayMcBride" Joe Siple

 

 Up next:

Happy reading,

LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Bookclub,

Bernardo Winery's Kitchen, not a Parisian bistro,  pleased our palates, as we discussed Ruth Reichl's "The Paris Novel". Reichl's descriptive meals, the vehicle for the implausible plot, along with, sigh, Paris, kept us moving forward as our readers enjoyed the journey.

For a delve into the 'real Michelin meal' that inspired "The Paris Novel" scene, please check out the L.A. Times article below:

https://www.latimes.com/food/newsletter/2024-05-25/ruth-reichl-real-michelin-meal-inspired-decadent-paris-novel-scene-tasting-notes

Being a no-host month, there were no new selections to add to our upcoming reads.

Up next:

Happy reading,

LK

July 26, 2024 Gathering with Kathleen Severson

most of us!

 

Dear Bookclubs,

An afternoon with Kathleen Severson, sharing her experiences as an Army nurse in Vietnam, brought an unimagined depth to our understanding of what it was like to be in that war, serving in a profound and compassionate way. Kathleen's uniform, awards and photographs were especially meaningful. Pictured was a beautiful, young lady who now sat before us as a remarkable, cool and very accomplished woman.

 

Merci! Kathleen

Having both of my bookclubs represented was a real treat for me and I know much enjoyed by those in attendance. I hope that we can someday hear about Kathleen's experience with Honor Flight San Diego.

https://www.honorflightsandiego.org/

Happy reading,

LK

July 2024 Bookclub News

 

 

Dear Bookclub,

Having Kim join us at Bernardo Winery's Kitchen put the festive evening over the top as we met to discuss our July selection, Cristina Henriquez's "The Great Divide". Circling our table with hugs, order flags, wine, water cups, utensils, etc, we finally sat. Catching up and getting down to business, knowing that Kim's time with us was short, we seemed efficient, choosing two selections from Kim's recommendations, chatting about the book and filling our mouths. However(!), scolded the tortoise, we neglected to get a picture of our giant, wonderful group before Martha, Julie and Kim had to depart. Too bad!

Henriquez captured our attention with the well-developed characters, who helped demonstrate the harsh conditions, inequities of race, medical conditions, scientific thought and engineering of the era. Intrigued by the blatant gold and silver distinctions, the great divide of the classes. I did a little searching. Please read this piece, from The Silver People Heritage Foundation blog, exposing the blatant racism, including the demoting of thousands of skilled and competent black workers:

https://thesilverpeopleheritage.wordpress.com/2008/05/01/the-silver-and-gold-roll-on-the-panama-canal-zone/

Another very interesting piece comes from The State Department Office of the Historian: a 1946 letter from J.C. Mehaffey, governor of the Panama Canal, to the Ambassador in Panama, Frank T. Hines. The letter is a reply to workers' allegations and illustrates the rationale of the times:

 https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1946v11/d47

Diane mentioned David McCullough's National Book Award winning "The Path Between the Seas: The Creation of the Panama Canal, 1870-1914". This is the real deal:

 

https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Path-Between-the-Seas/David-McCullough/9780743262132 

Finally, I knew that in 1926, my father-in-law, Everett Kaufman, lost his father when he was only two years old. Little was known about the situation except that his father, Nathan Kaufman (N8's namesake), was in the Panama Canal area on business. The details have disappeared with the generations. My 98 year-old mother-in-law knows nothing and says that her mother-in-law, Gertrude, Nathan's wife, never spoke of it. Upon doing some online digging, I found a write-up about Nathan's father, my N8's great-grandfather, David Kaufman. The founder of Kaufman & Sons, a scrap metal business in Elizabeth, New Jersey, did indeed get scrap metal from the building of the canal. Being the fifth of seven sons, Nathan had to be there with that business, yet I was unable to find an obituary. Here is some of what I found:

My family was tickled to find this. Moral of the story: keep telling your children and grandchildren all you know about your families.

 

Kim's suggestions for an upcoming read:

"How To Read A Book" Monica Wood *chosen

"Only The Beautiful" Susan Meissner *chosen

"The Kitchen House" Kathleen Grissom