June 2024 Bookclub News

Hillwood Estate archives

 

Dear Bookclub,

Enjoying a healthy Mendocino Farms lunch under a gorgeous San Diego sky, we sat around a picnic table marveling at Allison Pataki's "The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post".  Beautiful! Rich! Innovative entrepreneur! And true!

Eagle and Pearl blog

 

We all found the historic novel appealing. The General Foods genesis sparked nostalgia for products developed. Trudy's search for individual cereal boxes was unsuccessful but nonetheless endearing. 

 

 

I was motivated to find Postum, a staple in my childhood kitchen. While reading the book, I craved the hot beverage Marjorie so often drank. Finding a similar product at Jimbo's(see below), I merrily sip away (yet never attract a fortune or dashing husbands.) The original does still exist through online order from a small company, Eliza's Quest Foods, that got the recipe and trademark from Kraft. ( https://postum.com/pages/our-roots )

 

This advertisment is too good to pass up. The health beliefs of the time present a wonder for how the current habits and beliefs will be viewed decades from now. For ease of reading, reproduced here:

 "Children brought up on Postum are free from the evil effects of caffeine - the habit forming drug - in coffee and tea. 

    Postum is made of clean, hard wheat, skillfully roasted, including the bran-coat which contains the Phosphate of Potash (grown in the grain) for building healthy brain and nerve tissue.

    Begin early to insure a healthy nervous system for the little ones.

"There's a Reason"

Iced Postum  - served with sugar and lemon is a delicious, cooling Summer food-drink

___________

Postum Cereal Co., Ltd., Battle Creek, Mich., U. S. A. "

Roma

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

https://kaffreeroma.com/products/kaffree-roma/

Stunned by the Russian treasures, Marjorie's jewels, properties, staff, etc. it is hard to imagine the management needed. Considering our education at the GIA, the jewels alone could have had staff. 

Entry hall Mar-a Lago

 The Library of Congress "Library" website has over 100 historic photos for gazing:

https://www.loc.gov/item/fl0181/

Delving into the history and legacy of Marjorie Merriweather Post goes on and on, echoing with the depth of her life. Enjoyable, I recommend doing so yet be forewarned that screen time will sky-rocket.

Trudy's suggestions for an upcoming read:

"The Measure" Nicki Erlick

"How the Light Gets In" Joyce Maynard

"The Frozen River" Ariel Lawhon *chosen

Up next:

 

Thoughtful reading,

LK

May 2024 Bookclub News

 

Wren, BirdWatch Ireland

Dear Bookclub,

 "The Wren, The Wren", Anne Enright's novel of an Irish family's betrayal by its famous lousy poet - poetry, not so bad,..... morals, lousy,  -  did not impress our group. Uninformed about Enright, I assumed a millennial writer.  Sexual dysfunction and angst, blaringly bad relationships, and hopeless emotions brought us down. But Enright, a baby boomer, transcended the generational categories with superior ease. The magical writing would unexpectedly trip me with an astounding phrase. And the meant-to-be-annoying,  "She got sick ... Unfortunately, and the marriage did not survive.", was very effective. Curiosity about Enright's style has me appreciating the power of bookclub and exposure to otherwise overseen writing. So I went diving.

 

Melbourne, Australia March 2024

 

This is a very enlightening interview with Anne which is not only entertaining in that her conversation is delightful, but insightful in the revelation of her intention with developing the digressive feminism that made us so uncomfortable. I promise the re-framing will sit well. Enjoy: 

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=anne+enright#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:31545c32,vid:bGhpe2_iS8A,st:0

Wanda's suggestions for an upcoming read:

"Master, Slave, Husband, Wife" Ilyon Woo 

"The Women" Kristen Hannah *chosen

"Swan's Nest" Laura McNeal

Up next:

 

Happy reading,

LK

 

 

April 2024 Bookclub News

 

Dear Bookclub,

The here-we-go's started, as I believed a predictable book-clubby tale was to be endured with Alice McDermott's "Absolution". I really didn't want to like it. Drawn in by McDermott's Charlene, the bad girl put me in the fast lane, emotionally invested. I really liked it. The later part of the book lost some impact with the reuniting coincidences yet McDermott set herself up with a hard act to follow once Charlene left the pages. Of course the Barbie vehicle has imprinted this book in my memory more than the concept of absolution. 

"A Plea for Absolution" Frederic Henri Schopin

Missing being together to chat about all the nooks and crannies McDermott offered, I hope we will revisit some discussion at our next meeting. Terrie kindly provided a synopsis of the gathering:

Book Club at the Brigantine was lots of fun, although we were down to 4 attendees.    Everyone really enjoyed the book.  Terry related to it as she and her family were stationed in Thailand (?) in the 60’s and had many “servants” to do the housework, cooking, etc.  We discussed the changing attitudes of and about women during this volatile period.  Mixed feelings about Charlene, should she be lauded for her strength in navigating and succeeding in a man’s world?  She certainly was enterprising and brave!  Going to a Leper colony to bring comfort to the stricken was to be commended!  The Barbie clothes business was interesting. Terry said one of their housemaids made Barbie outfits for her dolls.   Other issues such as the uppers and downers use was mentioned.  All of this was a prequel to America’s military involvement in Viet Nam.

Meanwhile, the dive I took into Saigon Barbie must be shared:

random "The Birds" Barbie

"Vietnamese" Barbie?

Alas, sold long ago on Etsy, the listing still provided an interesting glimpse into OOAK (a new term for me... 'one of a kind') "Miss Saigon Barbie Custom Made in Box Doll Mattel" :

  

This was translated by the seller in description: 

Vintage Custom Made Miss Saigon Barbie

I got this Barbie in a huge lot I bought. It looks like someone made this doll for a woman named Ellen. On the back it says in Dutch: Saigon Barbie Ellen. She is a lovely singer, she makes jokes, she burps, farts, shaves her legs. In other words: just like the real deal. Saigon Barbie Ellen and Ken, collect them all!. Please check pictures for the state, these are part of the listing. 

Back to our news, Terrie's selections for an upcoming read:

"Honor" Thirty Umrigar

"The Demon of Unrest" Erik Larson

"James" Percival Everett *chosen

Up next:

Happy reading,

LK

March 2024 Bookclub News

 

Tiger's Eye Quartz

Dear Bookclub,

Unexpected treasures awaited as we were treated to a very special tour at the Gem Institute of America in Carlsbad, thanks to Wanda's kind invitation. What a gem McKenzie Santimer is as the CIA's Museum Director, graciously presenting wonder after wonder to our little group of ten. Her passion and knowledge barely edged her style and presence. The architecture of the building, the history and science of the rocks and minerals in the GIA's collection, and the concept of an institute to promote education, credentialing and research, took us to an unexpected level of appreciation.

 

McKenzie

one big tiger's eye

Our fantastic group!

 

Our delve into the world of gems was enhanced by the enthusiastic inclusion of two Jim's and a Bruce. Joining us for a lunch at the nearby Fish Market, our book discussion was light with little encouragement from the loud surroundings and a long table. Aja Raden's "Stoned" was well-received, providing a springboard into our understanding of the history of human obsession with jewels. At my end of the table, a small criticism: we were not enthralled with Raden's sarcastic interjections, humor that fell a cut short. Perhaps the other end of the table felt differently but conversation, like my plate of french fries, was difficult to share. Mid-table-Terrie shared her appreciation for Victoria Finlay's "Jewels", a book she impressively read along with "Stoned", which gave her a deeper education about precious stones.

Both books have gorgeous covers that make this little gem-loving heart look twice:

 

 

 

For an interesting dive into more beautiful covers holding amazing content, pleases visit  GIA's links to their quarterly journal, Gems & Gemology: https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology 

 

 Val's suggestions for an upcoming read:

 "After Annie" Anna Quindlen *chosen

"Stealing the Show, A History of Art and Crime in Six Thefts"  John Barelli

"The Porcelain Thief: Searching the Middle Kingdom for Buried China" Huan Hsu

Up next:

Happy reading,

LK

February 2024 Bookclub News

as you like it*

Dear Bookclub,

Meeting at Piacere Mio*  to discuss William Kent Krueger's "The River We Remember", seven of us stretched out at a long table establishing our presence. The challenge of having one conversation across this configuration became apparent and we just tried harder, talked louder and did our best. We were not unnoticed (hard to ignore) as a neighboring table stopped to chat on their way out. The threesome correctly identified us as being a bookclub - they were part of one too. Finding they were also familiar with William Kent Krueger, (one of them being from Minnesota), fueled our widening presence in volume, both auditory and physical. Yet the restaurant remained endeared and presented a most delicious panna cotta.

Meanwhile, back at the river, most of us enjoyed the mystery while a couple of us were not as enthralled. Richly drawn characters magnetized while the mounting number of characters confused. The descriptions of the Alabaster River and its power with analogies lent Krueger some poetic prowess. I hope he is done with this genre and gets back to writing with emotional intelligence, free of forced drama.

  

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

Alabaster River is fictional in this novel, but the qualities of the mineral,  a snow-white translucency in particular, grounded the reader to the magic of the river. As depicted in this Italian workshop above, the softness of the stone allows for a variety of definitions. Please peruse the Wikipedia page in preparation for our visit to Gem Institute.

My suggestions for an upcoming read:

"The Wager" David Grann *chosen

"Womb" Leah Hazard

"Grant and Twain" Mark Perry

 

 

Up next:

 

 

Happy reading,

LK

January 2024 Bookclub News

 

 

Sibylle of Cleves, wife of John Frederick I, 1526 by Lucas Cranach the Elder

 

Dear Bookclub,

Fascinated by Stéphane Breitwieser's dastardly deeds, I googled-galore weeks ago before our discussion of Michael Finkel's "The Art Thief". Sixteen rabbit holes are still open on my computer, one in Japanese (and one about how to translate a website into English). Panic at not having yet woven together the bits and pieces, did not get this blog written, as other tasks prevailed. Anne Lamott's title essay for "Bird by Bird" comes to mind:

"Thirty years ago my older brother, who was ten years old at the time, was trying to get a report on birds written that he'd had three months to write. It was due the next day. We were out at our family cabin in Bolinas, and he was at the kitchen table close to tears, surrounded by binder paper and pencils and unopened books on birds, immobilized by the hugeness of the task ahead. Then my father sat down beside him, put his arm around my brother's shoulder, and said, 'Bird by bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird.'" 

Ok, blog hardly a huge task, but here goes, rabbit hole by rabbit hole.

My three wishes:

*Finding a photo of Anne Catherine Kleinklaus. 

I read dozens and dozens of articles, most repetitive in content. The same images are used over and over again. Not one has an image of Anne Catherine. She has done an excellent job of erasing any media/online presence. Here is a smattering of other fine images from these articles:

The home where the Brietwiesers lived and stashed the treasures.

Breitwieser visiting 'his' first piece in 2018.

Authorities searching for art in the Rhône-Rhine Canal.

Mon Dieu

*Finding a photo of Mireille Brietwieser. See Anne Catherine above. Not one image. I want those 35 hours of my life back. Also, would be very grateful to anyone who can find an image of either one.

Here is something I did find, on that Japanese website:

 The nifty translation is: 

'Steve's story has become the subject of a movie and drama, and a painter has painted his portrait.'

*Learning about any updates in the Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum theft. No news there but some interesting stories about dead end leads:

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

One of the stolen works from The Gardner, "The Concert" Vermeer

  

Our meeting was a welcome reprieve from the holiday madness.

We were deeply appreciative of Finkel's writing as he crafted this non-fiction work into a page turner. For more on Finkel, the link below is an interview; interesting to see and hear him... a bit long.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TOgbvLVkjs 

 

This bit came up in a Reddit thread. It is a bit odd and perhaps just to be slightly entertained by what is being created for the heck of it (think cat or toddler videos), give it a try and don't forget you can slide through it with your mouse, searching for 'good' parts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVBU_Dpdbl0

 

 

Terry's suggestions for an upcoming read: 

"Prophet Song" Paul Lynch

"The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post" Allison Pataki *chosen

"Maybe You Should Talk to Someone" Lori Gottlieb

 

 

Up next:

 

Happy reading,

LK
 

December 2023 Bookclub News

 

 

https://www.suebutler.com.au/blog/2018/10/11/idiomatic-expressions

 

Dear Bookclub,

Our beautiful trip to Laguna Beach, morphed into a fine kettle of fish, as Val so perfectly described, our ladies succumbing to the scourge of COVID.  Before the kettle of fish arrived, we were gifted with a pristine day at the beach; may our walking and talking along the Laguna shoreline be what is long- remembered:

Thank goodness we had that book to discuss since our conversations were few and far between..... ha! Kate Atkinson's "Festive Spirits" was enjoyed and appreciated for the well-written twists she created on the visions of Christmas. Reminisces of books past, included Atkinsons', brought out the google machines to sharpen our memories and spark the continuum.  So many books, so many years! Yet our history is short in comparison to that of The Ranch at Laguna Beach.  Aside from the photos on the wall in the hallway adjacent to the restaurant, depicting the tent city on the beach, The Ranch really was a ranch. As described in the very interesting Forbes article - little guy vs. corporate - (link below), the homestead, which was built in 1871, was originally a watermelon farm and became known locally as "the ranch." The inn opened in 1962:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/annabel/2016/11/30/a-fresh-slice-of-orange-county-the-newly-reinvented-ranch-at-laguna-beach/?sh=6700df664771

Trudy's suggestions for an upcoming read:

"The Wren, the Wren" Anne Enright *chosen

"The Rediscovery of America: Native Peoples and the Unmaking of U.S. History" Ned Blackhawk

"The Bee Sting" Paul Murray

 

Up next:

 

Artful reading,

LK

PEACE