November Bookclub Newsletter

Dear Bookclub,
We have a new date for November, Wednesday the 19th, which is very happy in everyone's calendar.
Let's meet at my house for lunch... how can it be any other way??!

The Change Dinner Project

“Change Dinner is the idea of coming back to the table to become activists in our own home, at our own table, with our own friends and family, in our own communities. Because, by making better food choices, and purchasing your food in a different way, and understanding where your food comes from, you can actually have a huge impact on the way food is produced and consumed around the world” – Ellen Gustafson

Gustafson's book, "We the Eaters" will come as no surprise to our savy, lucky-to-live-in-San Diego-tummies and minds. Her description of our food system, aptly described in this La Jolla TED talk, is disheartening and thought-provoking:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3QA37vtSa8

Gustafson has co-founded several projects ranging from "FEED" to "The Food Tank", admirably spreading her message via several avenues. Please check out her website, and drop-downs under projects, to learn more:

http://ellengustafson.com/

Eating and Reading Responsibly,
LK

October 2014 Recap & News

Dear Bookclub,
An intimate gathering at BernardO's yesterday for Wanda, Terrie G, Trudy and I as we enjoyed a leisurely lunch and discussed the strengths and weaknesses in "Tell the Wolves I'm Home". Agreeably a pleasurable read, we did find some faults in believability of some character traits and events but we relished the concept of the painting and its central role.

Another discussion ensued regarding our upcoming December plans. The Hotel Del rates were feeling quite like a scalping and we decided to do some further research. Wanda quickly found a wonderful option in The 1906 Lodge:

Reservations are being made so we can resume our plans of beach R &R, including slow reading:

Historic image of 1906 Lodge

Here is some interesting recent history about a change of ownership just last year:

http://www.ecoronado.com/profiles/blogs/end-of-another-chapter-040920131033


TG gave us some wonderful ideas for our February upcoming selection:

"The Paying Guests" by Sarah Waters
"Stone Mattress" by Margaret Atwood
"Friendswood: A Novel" by Rene Steinke
"The Remarkable Courtship of General Tom Thumb" by Nicholas Rinaldi    *chosen

Next up is "We the Eaters: If We Change Dinner, We Can Change the World" by Ellen Gustafson.

Happy Reading,
LK

October Bookclub News

Dear Bookclub,
This Wednesday, October 1, we'll be discussing "Tell the Wolves I'm Home".

Terrie G will announce where we'll be meeting (she hinted that it would be local and  at 12:30).

 

Keep calm and read on,

LK

December Plans

Dear Bookclub,

It's official! We are repeating our retreating:

Autumnal equinox in Southern California means more than Santa Ana's, pomegranates and faded evenings. It's time to fret about the holidays! But first, let's carve out a little time for our Coronado retreat, December 1-3 (luncheon meeting on Wednesday, December 3rd). Please make your reservation for your desired stay... one night or two.. Beach beckons for slow reading, chatting, shopping, biking, walking, good eating, spa retreating.

 Ahhhhhhhhh,
LK

September 2014 Recap

Dear Bookclub,
Our September 3rd lunch on the patio at The Barrel Room brings to mind Valerie's bruschetta caprese which is really very unfair to the discussion of our much loved "The Boys in the Boat". (I need to make dinner.) Everyone was so enthusiastic about the book; descriptions of races are seared into our memories with Daniel James Brown's masterful storytelling sealed with the endearment developed for Joe Rantz. We loved it all!

Valerie, fortified by her savory lunch, presented us each with a page of write-ups for her four suggestions for our January selection:

"One Plus One: A Novel" by JoJo Moyes
"The Invention of Wings" by Sue Monk Kidd
"The Romanov Sisters:The Lost Lives of the Daughters of Nicholas and Alexandra"  by Helen Rappaport
"Home Leave" by Brittani Sonnenberg  *** chosen(not an easy decision)

The Slow Reading Club

Pictured above is a book club from Wellington, New Zealand. They meet weekly for an hour to merely be immersed in 'old-school reading'. Please explore this concept in the following:

http://online.wsj.com/articles/read-slowly-to-benefit-your-brain-and-cut-stress-1410823086

Does anyone want to do this? Intriguing.

Next up: "Tell the Wolves I'm Home" for Wednesday October 1st.

Happy Reading (slow, dangerous, whatever!)
 LK

September 2014 Bookclub News

Dear Bookclub,
As the September calendar page beckons, all those 'summer reads' will soon be obsolete  - until next spring, that is, when the chatter begins anew of beach bag-thrillers, airplane page-turners, poolside 'literature' and my wishlist for the planned pleasure of losing myself in a myriad of readable thoughts reignites. Must admit that I am enjoying giving this last official weekend of summer up to "The Boys in the Boat". Sorry stacks of huge fall fashion 'zines.

 University of Washington Crew 2014

eye candy

Daniel James Brown's "Boys in the Boat" is truly cinematic. Please read link below, an announcement from 2011, before book was even published, when Weinsteins bought the rights to make the movie with Kenneth Branagh directing. Most fascinating in this link: a 4 minute video with the 1936 Olympic race... please watch it! The eight man race follows the four man race.


http://whatculture.com/film/kenneth-branagh-to-direct-the-boys-in-the-boat-about-u-s-olympic-rowers-who-embarrassed-hitler.php


Our next meeting: Wednesday September 3rd at 12:30 - The Barrel Room.


See you there!
LK

PS Dreamy about those fireside tales, teatime tomes, and dark, early-evening reading fests....

August 2014 Bookclub News

Dear Bookclub,

A fine little lunch at Bellamy's was the backdrop for the discussion of "The Burnable Book". 

 Medieval Bellamy

 With agreed appreciation for the delve into 14th century London culture, Terrie further enlightened us about Holsinger's scholarly crafting.

Gower and Chaucer were indeed literary rivals. Beware the gentle looking poet.









Terry presented three great titles - as always a tough decision:

"We are Called to Rise" by Laura McBride *
"All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr
"The Age of Miracles" by Karen Thompson Walker

*chosen for December

Please be sure to note the calendar and synch it with yours!


"The Boys in the Boat" is next.... shall we row?

Happy Reading!
LK