May 2015 Bookclub News

Dear Bookclub,
"All the Light You Cannot See" invites us into the World War II web of the magic of radio, the 1940 invasion of Paris, Hilter-youth and two children whose lives intersect in an unimaginable light. Anthony Doerr abundantly collects awards and this compelling work adds to his collection with his recent honor of the 2015 Pulitzer Prize. Such a weighted subject for a little tea. But that's what we will do on Wednesday. Please come enjoy a spirited discussion with some spirited tea: 3PM.

Happy Reading,
LK

April 2015 Bookclub News

"Spring Reading"

Dear Bookclub,
Sitting on the patio of The French Market Grill, we decided that our springtime could not be much better. The food was especially tasty and our conversation, dainty in the springtime-patio fashion, enjoyable. Jane Smiley's "Some Luck" was also enjoyed and anticipation about the proposed trilogy triggered speculation about the development of the characters in this current book. Several characters seemed destined to be something more dramatic. The fading possibility of that drama as the book came to an end was replaced with a satisfaction that the marriage was the drama in its ever-widening scope of time and characters; a fulfilled marriage.

Next month, I plan to have us meet in my dining room so we can challenge dainty conversation. Anthony Doerr's "All the Light We Cannot See" will be a great discussion for sure. And the dainty conversation is not about this book but refers to the private atmosphere; Whiskey and wine will be in attendance.
 
In a stroke of absolute group genius, at our last meeting, we all collectively threw up our arms and pronounced that all the selections Val proposed were very good and that we'd be happy to read any of them. We are so discriminating.

"The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry" by Gabrielle Zevin *
"The Pearl That Broke its Shell" by Nadia Hashimi
"Leaving Before the Rains Come" by Alexandra Fuller
"A Spool of Blue Thread" by Anne Tyler

*chosen (after all, it was the first).

Happy Reading,
LK

Upcoming April 2015 Bookclub Meeting News

Dear Bookclub,
Jane Smiley's "Some Luck" is  the first volume of a planned trilogy. Seems daunting to our  future memory challenges (re: Marilynne Robinson's well-liked Gilead/Home/Lila trilogy we recently 'harvested'). (Not to forget Housekeeping which was not on our list - or was it???) Yet, this first novel in the series is extremely readable and graceful.

"Some Luck" chronicles Midwestern farm life in the author's wry and poignant manner, making for a good read and neatly categorizing it for a Smiley Pulitzer or National Book Award Winner.

Please be sure to RSVP to Val for our upcoming meeting at the French Market Grill, 12:30.

Happy Reading!
LK

March 2015 Bookclub News

Dear Bookclub,
Lingering the rest of the day: the joy of camaraderie, thoughts of Lila and the odor of Brothers Provisions cooking in our threads (and hair). Tolerant of our lingering presence, Brothers kept us in the spirit of ladies who lunch and kill an afternoon, supplying tea and chocolate when lunch fortification wore thin. Lila would have never stayed around so long.

So glad to have Valerie join us after her month of healing and so glad to toast Terrie in honor of her impending grandmotherdom, the afternoon was a warm and wonderful gathering. We discussed the layering of Marilynne Robinson's story, told over and over from different off-centered character perspectives in different novels. Marveling at our lousy memories, we still held fast to the fact that we all remembered enjoying Robinson's books despite being foggy on the particulars.

(Contact Us - if you remember!)

Terry proposed three great selections for an upcoming read:

"Boy, Snow, Bird" by Helen Oyeyemi *
"Wonder (Wonder #1) by R.J. Palacio
"What Alice Forgot" by Liane Moriarty

*chosen


April brings Jane Smiley's "Some Luck" with our location TBD by Val. Stay tuned.

Happy Reading,
LK

February 2015 Recap

Dear Bookclub,
There was no dancing around Val's absence at our recent meeting. Considering the lowest ratings on Terrie's suggested titles for our upcoming selection, members covertly consulted cell phones as a nod to the learned wisdom from our missing friend. It was not much conciliation and we felt the weight of the post-surgical pain she must be experiencing and realized that reading any old book would be preferable to a medicated haze. Later, learning of Val's positive outcome, the faith in her constitution restored, we rejoice and look forward to a lively discussion (of "Lila") with all in March! ("The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins was chosen for June*.)

Bernard O's was the setting for our discussion of "The Remarkable Courtship of General Tom Thumb". I loved, loved, loved this book. Just a personal statement I had to sneak in. Sending me to google photos of the whales, wiki Barnum's story, and order two more books (Melanie Benjamin's "The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb: A Novel"  {remember this is the author of "The Aviator's Wife"?!} and A H Saxon's "Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb"), my imagination was zapped with the tales of the Civil War, New York City abuzz with the museum, Barnum, Barnum and Lincoln, etc.

Next up: Marilynne Robinson's "Lila". Terry's choice of location to be announced for our meeting on March 4.

Happy Reading!
LK


PS * other titles considered

"The Secret Wisdom of the Earth" by Christopher Scotton
"Lillian on Life" by Alison Jean Lester
"Sea of Glory" by Nathaniel Philbrick

February 2015 Bookclub News

Dear Bookclub,
The Barrel Room survived our rollicking group for our January discussion of "Home Leave". Appreciative of Brittani Sonnenberg's creative telling of a family's life spinning through countries and decades, we picked through the settings and emotions, deciphering perceptions of truth. All eyes and ears settled on Terry relating her personal experiences of being an expat with her sister.

Wanda presented three selections for consideration for our May meeting:

"The Pearl That Broke Its Shell" by Nadia Hashimi
"Nora Webster" by Colm Toibin
"All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr *
"The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry" by Gabrielle Zevin

 *chosen


Next up, for February:

 This novel is a terrific blend of historic fact of entertaining fantasy. Rinaldi, a professor at Fairfield University in Connecticut, is a well-published poet and novelist. Nearly sporting the PT look of our millennium, the distinguished author and Barnum could pull off the family tree.

(The above photo is General Tom Thumb wedding Lavinia.)

Happy Reading!

LK

January 2015 Bookclub News

Dear Bookclub,
Happy New Year! We are meeting next on Friday, January 9 at 11:30 at the Barrel Room to discuss Brittani Sonnenberg's, "Home Leave". Sonnenberg's debut novel centers around the globetrotting lifestyle she grew up in.

The above illustration is from "Denizen", an online magazine for TCK(Third Culture Kids) that featured an article written by Sonnenberg: http://www.denizenmag.com/2012/03/the-enigma-of-arrival/

Our early December adventure proved to be a meaningful launch to the Christmas season, with the camaraderie cherished by the best of friends in an unseasonably chilly Coronado:

Our very perfect group at the the very perfect 1906 Lodge.

Finally, a very good friend of mine, Pam Warnock, is putting together an author's dinner on Wednesday February 11th at Carver's. She has 3 authors lined up: Susan Meissner, whose latest book, "The Secrets of a Charmed Life", comes out the first week of February (about the Blitz in WWII), Marivi Soliven, author of "The Mango Bride" (this book won one of the highest literary awards in the Philippines), and Pat Jackson-Collando, author of "Stashes", a satire about Gen X and the Millenniums. An interesting line-up! Attendees will have a choice of salmon, chicken or prime rib and one of three salads, coffee/tea or soft drink. Cost will be $45-50 including tax and gratuity. Please let me know if you are interested in attending and I will help arrange.

Happy Reading!
LK

PS A big thank you to Trudy for organizing and delivering our donations to our adopted family through the Interfaith Services.

PPS Trudy's suggestions for selections:

"Some Luck" by Jane Smiley *
"Redployment" by Phil Kay
"All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr

*chosen