April 2016 Recap

 

   
Dear Bookclub,
 Our April gathering, amidst Val's very splendid garden, (featuring roses beyond content with the El Niño spring), had us wheeling in delight as we settled on her veranda, circling a table beneath a cozy wisteria. Launching on a perfect salad, we caught up and eventually landed on our read.

"Circling the Sun", perhaps more aptly titled "Circling Denys", succeeded in a discussion of the spot-on descriptions of Africa and the lack of likability and character development of the Kenyan colony depicted. Tilting toward the dreaded bodice-ripper, Beryl's infatuation with Denys left us wondering about the inconceivable actions of a maternal abandonment: Beryl's being abandoned, Beryl abandoning her son and the author, Paula McClain's own abandonment: her mother vanished when she was four. How this abandonment leaves a distinct hunger in its wake.

unbelievable blueberry cake

Val, very thoughtfully, had previously emailed us her suggested titles for an upcoming read so we were able to come prepared with our indecision:

"The Rainbow Comes and Goes: A Mother and a Son on Life, Love and Loss"  by Anderson Cooper and Gloria Vanderbilt

"Margaret The First: A Novel" by  Danielle Dulton

"Hold Still: A Memoir with Photographs" by Sally Mann *chosen

Touring the garden

 Next up: "The Door" by Magda Szabo

Happy Reading!
LK

PS: Blueberry Cake recipe (I think this is it??!!)
https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2014/02/09/lemon-blueberry-layer-cake/