Mid-March Musings

Dear Bookclub,
Just an update on our happenings. At last week's meeting, Terry recommended three titles for her upcoming selection: "The Luminaries" by Eleanor Catton, "A Tale for the Time Being" by Ruth Ozeki, and "The Goldfinch" by Donna Tartt. We have such great books to chose from! It was really hard but we made a decision - Tartt's book.

Terrie G. is going to host next month at her new home! Let's have May be our month to invite some friends to join us. Please let me know if you have someone you'd like to bring. This smacks a bit of bring your daughter to work day...  Which is actually great with our selection for May, "The Aviator's Wife".

April's selection, "Me Before You" by JoJo Moyes, is sure to be a favorite, memorable read. Looking forward to our discussion.

Read on!
LK

March 2014 Bookclub News

Dear Bookclub,
Marching right into our lives is a new month! And a first Wednesday... time to meet. Reading "We are Water" is as easy as drinking water- goes down smoothly but it is a lot of water. I'm still drinking but enjoying it!

For Wednesday, Terry has chosen "La Bastide Bistro" in Scripps Ranch- 10006 Scripps Ranch Blvd. #104  (in the shopping center off Pomerado Rd.)  at 12:30.

Three new friends I made in Florida.  They are so clever but a little flashy.

Look forward to seeing you all 3/5!
Happy reading,
LK

Central Library Beautiful and not a Ruin

Dear Bookclub,
Last week's trip to the library was enlightening. I was impressed by the 3D printer, fascinated by the book-return conveyor belt (that is hardly used), enchanted with the rare book room, and dream of the reading rooms being empty with a tea service. 

Ideal reading room without the imagined tea:

  Other memorable moments: realization that San Diego's down-and-out and in-the-know sure do know where to go - hot spot is definitely the computers at the library where it appeared all research involved skin and games. They probably never look up from their screens so they would not appreciate this very cool view:

Next up: March 5th with Terry's choice of venue. Wally Lamb's, "We are Water" will be discussed.

Read on!
LK

Mid-January News

Dear Bookclub,
Our February 5th Library tour is on. Details to follow as the date gets closer. We'll meet for lunch at Cafe Chloe at 11:30 and discuss "Beautiful Ruins". Our tour is a 2 PM, so please carve out quite a chunk of your day!

Chosen from my suggestions for June is "My Age of Anxiety" by Scott Stossel; (also considered: "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and "Please Look After Mom" by Kyung-Sook Shin).

Enjoy!
LK

Welcome 2014

Dear Bookclub,

Happy New Year! Breaking out the new calendars and filling up the electronic one has me in an organizational mood. The lovely empty spaces have become filled with tasks of course but more importantly, exciting events; many are our bookclub gatherings!

We had talked about visiting the new library and in doing some research, I discovered there are lovely private tours available. These prove to be popular as they are rather booked up. Unfortunately there were none available on the next few Wednesdays so I took the liberty to book us a tour on Wednesday February 5th. The tours are always at 2 pm.  There is a great place to eat nearby: Cafe Chloe. I propose we eat there at 11:30 which means heading to town around 11. Please let me know if this sounds like something you want to do!

January meeting is next Wednesday, 1/9.

 Let's meet at Brother's Provisions

 at noon to discuss "Defending Jacob".

http://www.brosprovisions.com/

16451 Bernardo Center Drive

Happy Reading!

LK

Coronado!

 Dear Bookclub,
Our trip to Coronado was a fantastic holiday retreat. We must do it again.It was rejuvenating to be together in such a festive setting. So great to be together!

 Trudy and I prepared for everyone's Tuesday arrival starting Monday morning, checking in, eating lunch on the beach and then renting bikes. We explored Coronado via sidewalks and streets, mustering our inner-child energy....

 .... until sunset.

Primavera welcomed us for a three hour dinner; currently plotting a way to get back there soon.

Tuesday morning, Trudy and I jumped on bikes again, keeping a close eye on the skies which stayed gorgeous long enough for us to spend a few more hours crisscrossing the island. Tuesday also brought Terry, Terrie, Wanda & Ginger and we had our first 'meeting' with wine and generous lunch plates at Rhinoceros Cafe.  A few showers did not keep us from peeking into some shops, although we headed back to the Del for real shopping and tea. Honest, it was tea. After a short rest, we met at the tree (see above photo). A round-table-elegant dinner at 1500 Ocean was both rollicking and relaxing. Now, if we were 20 years younger, I am sure the party would have continued elsewhere but it was 10ish and we were beckoned by bedtime.

Wednesday morning we managed to be hungry again with scattered breakfasts. We joined the beach walkers and flocked to the amazing sand castles. Wanda hunkered down to finish the book and is out of the photo, back in the rotunda of the hotel, reading away.

Reality began to loom as we packed up our bags to check-out and convene for our official bookclub meeting at Sheerwater for lunch. Jhumpa Lahiri's "The Lowland" provided thought-provoking discussion and was well-liked by all. Trudy suggested three fantastic titles for our next-in-line selection: "The Aviator's Wife", Patchett's "This is the story of a Happy Marriage", and Maynard's "At Home in the World".  "The Aviator's Wife" will be the choice although I encourage you to read all! Some movies were recommended and just for everyone's notes: "The Sessions" and "Half the Sky". In lieu of gifts to each other this year, donations were made in the bookclub's name and included donations made to Oasis Haven, Salvation Army (holiday meals drive),Catholic Relief Services for Typhoon Haiyan & Semper Fi .... I'm sorry - I didn't record all the recipients so this among others. This gesture felt so right!

Hoping everyone has their Christmas to-do's in check with the peaceful launch of the season, sharing this precious time together.

 

Merry Christmas & Jolly Reading!
LK 

December Retreat!

Dear Bookclub,
Our December meeting will be Wednesday, December 4 at the Sheerwater Restaurant at the Hotel Del Coronado at noon.
Trudy and I will be headed to Coronado tomorrow and looking forward to everyone else arriving Tuesday. Yahoo! Lots of opportunity for catching up, shopping, bike riding, beach walking, ice skating, sipping, spa, talking, talking, talking- whatever appeals.

 A relaxing retreat awaits!

  

Jhumpa Lahiri's "The Lowland" will be discussed. I am nearly finished ... it is a swift read and should inspire good discussion with its thought-provoking twisted tale. A story you will long remember; if you haven't started it, you could begin now and finish in time, no problem!

Happy Reading,
LK

PS Just a reminder that in lieu of gifts, please make a donation to a favored charity in the name of our book club and please present your choice at our luncheon. It will be interesting to share about the details of our causes.