April 2023 Bookclub News

 

Dear Bookclub,

Kate Atkinson's "Shrines of Gaiety" dazzled us with a cast of characters, distinct in our memories for their well-developed personas yet blurred in our recollections for their actual names. Atkinson/Dickinson entertained, her intricate styling of a story rivaled only by her fabulous sense of humor. We adored it.

 

Nightclub owner Kate Meyrick (seated, center) at a party at the Silver Slipper Club, London, celebrating her release from prison, 1928. Photo: Popperfoto via Getty Images

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Kate(!) Meyrick, "Night Club Queen", could not fully be encapsulated in Atkinson's novel. Please enjoy this litany of adventure from none other than Wikipedia to further bolster the curious newspaper blurb at the end of the book:

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

 

 

 

As we basked in the bright April sunshine on the Veranda, our conversation turned to the many other books this prolific writer has produced. We appreciated the variety and noted that our bookclub had read one of hers in the past. Must have been past-past because we weren't really sure which one(s)? "Case Histories" sounded familiar to me (pre-blog?) and "Life After Life" (blog - 2013) we read, but I don't remember at all! Sigh.

 

The covers are distinct. I remember the roses. And her name, as my Olivia noted, is not to be missed:

Finally, we can only wonder what was served in the clubs... Atkinson's credit to a Dutch cocktail book is here to inspire:

 

https://www.dbnl.org/tekst/slag015hoem02_01/slag015hoem02_01_0014.php

With a little imagination and experimentation, you, too, can indulge like the bright young things.

Terrie's suggestions for an upcoming read:

"The Covenant of Water"  Abrahan Verghese

"Hang the Moon" Jeannette Walls

"Hello Beautiful" Ann Napolitano *chosen

Up next:

Happy reading,

LK

March 2023 Bookclub News

 

 Dear Bookclub,

Celeste Ng's "Our Missing Hearts" chilled  ours with a dystopia highly imaginable. TikTok national security concerns, anti-Asian discrimination, separation of children from their families at the border, stolen election debate, AI misinformation dangers, etc., etc....  How odd and plausible PACT (The Preserving American Culture and Traditions Act) would be.  

Our discussion was anemic. We were thrilled to be together but our lunchtime conversation at Hoorah's  proved challenging with a robust noise level.  The general consensus being unenthusiastic about the book, the depressing tone dragged down our readers. I personally liked the writing and the Ng's ability to weave a thoughtful tale; this sentiment, also shared by Terry, who was unable to attend. Having the library, books and story-telling as agents in the novel endeared me.

Washington Post Live's series, "Race in America" features an interview with Celeste Ng. Always fascinating to hear an author's voice and sentiment, Ng's emphasis on her motivations and fears are especially worth the listen:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ckcox7hHkcY

Val's suggestions for an upcoming read:

"If Walls Could Speak" Moshe Safdie

"Lessons" Ian McEwan *chosen 

"The Good Sister" Sally Hepworth

 

Up next:

 

Happy reading,

LK