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
