February 2018 Bookclub News

Eden Rose

Declan Patrick

Dear Bookclub,
In trying to imagine the meeting that I'd missed, a setting was necessary. Opening a bottle of wine seemed appropriate (The Barrel Room) for a thoughtful discussion of the page-turning "Before We Were Yours". But I must get on a plane soon, so drinking alone is out (Whiskey doesn't imbibe), and discussing anything with a deaf dog is fruitless. A report of just the facts must make due:

*Wanda  also missed, out with pneumonia(!).... hope you are feeling much better.
*Trudy was present and on baby-watch (welcome to Declan Patrick born 2/9!)
*TG reported on her new granddaughter, Eden Rose.
* Finally, I am guessing that Val and Terry ordered the caprese sandwich or tomato soup with half a grilled cheese sandwich. (not really a fact but sounds good)

I am hoping we can do a mini discussion of  Lisa Wingate's "Before We Were Yours" next time, as it was a thought provoking read. The fact that the book is based on an actual account of horrific incidents makes it all the more powerful.

Terry's suggestions for an upcoming read:

"Botox Nation:Changing the Face of America" Dana Berkowitz
"Killers of the Flower Moon:The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI" David Grann *chosen
"The Heart's Invisible Furies" John Boyne

Next up:

Eowyn Ivey's "To The Bright Edge of the World" 

Happy reading,
LK


PS Please check out this news report of a dump collapsing in Mozambique this past week. Eerily reminiscent of "The Rent Collector".

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-43117116

January 2018 Recap/February 2018

Dear Bookclub,
Camron Wright's "The Rent Collector", discussed 'round a cozy fireside table at Le Bistro de Louisa, presented a world far distant from our cocoon in space and content. The emphasized power of reading endeared us to the characters and provided a renewed clarity as to why it is we read. The reality of the existence of these families, not only in Cambodia, but in dumps in many other countries, is astounding. An NGO built school near a dump in the Philippines  became a magnet as amazingly, more people moved to the dump for the free food and schooling.
https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2016/oct/11/hell-earth-great-urban-scandal-life-rubbish-dump  

The Stung Meanchey dump was closed several years ago, but many still live and work there. 

 - The Guardian

Conversation steered away from the plight of the dump families as talk of approaching due dates and very-present grandchildren rang clear. We may need an Excel spreadsheet soon!

Wanda's well-researched suggestions for an upcoming read:
"The Leavers" Lisa Ko
"The Power" Naomi Alderman * chosen
"Saints for All Occasions" J. Courtney Sullivan

Up next: "Before We Were Yours"  by Lisa Wingate

For Huffington Posts' Jackie K. Cooper's glowing review from last summer, touting it to be 'one of the best books of the year':

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/before-we-were-yours-is-one-of-the-years-best-books_us_59376890e4b04ff0c46682c5

Happy reading,
LK