September book club: The Girl Who Chased The Moon by Sarah Addison Allen

We had a wonderful discussion in Debbie’s beautiful back yard setting about her book pick Everlost by Neal Shusterman. We missed all who could not be there but you missed a great discussion. This book is written by a man known as the story teller. He has been telling stories for a long time and is very good at it. He has inspired young readers everywhere to pick up a book and read. He visits schools and towns and even gets the kids involved in naming his books. We discovered many layers in Everlost, spiritual and otherwise, that made it a great read. Thanks Debbie!

LuAnn will be hosting our next meeting which will actually be Thursday August 30th at 7pm at her home. Her book is:

                                

Goodreads review says:   In her latest enchanting novel, New York Times bestselling author Sarah Addison Allen invites you to a quirky little Southern town with more magic than a full Carolina moon. Here two very different women discover how to find their place in the world—no matter how out of place they feel.
Emily Benedict came to Mullaby, North Carolina, hoping to solve at least some of the riddles surrounding her mother’s life. Such as, why did Dulcie Shelby leave her hometown so suddenly? And why did she vow never to return? But the moment Emily enters the house where her mother grew up and meets the grandfather she never knew—a reclusive, real-life gentle giant—she realizes that mysteries aren’t solved in Mullaby, they’re a way of life: Here are rooms where the wallpaper changes to suit your mood. Unexplained lights skip across the yard at midnight. And a neighbor bakes hope in the form of cakes.
Everyone in Mullaby adores Julia Winterson’s cakes—which is a good thing, because Julia can’t seem to stop baking them. She offers them to satisfy the town’s sweet tooth but also in the hope of rekindling the love she fears might be lost forever. Flour, eggs, milk, and sugar . . . Baking is the only language the proud but vulnerable Julia has to communicate what is truly in her heart. But is it enough to call back to her those she’s hurt in the past?  
Can a hummingbird cake really bring back a lost love? Is there really a ghost dancing in Emily’s backyard? The answers are never what you expect. But in this town of lovable misfits, the unexpected fits right in.

A Goodreads reader says:  What is home to you? A comfortable, warm place filled with loving faces? Is it the scent of freshly baked cookies or pie wafting through the air? A worn blanket draped across a favorite chair and a good book? The soft, silky touch of a beloved pet’s fur? Finding shelter in the protective embrace of a lover? Home is more than just a place it is a destination where you feel safe; someplace where all is right with the world; a spot you always want to be. The Girl Who Chased the Moon is all about finding that elusive point called home.

Sounds like a great book to curl up on the couch and enjoy.

Happy Reading and see you at LuAnn’s home Aug 30th.

July’s Book Club-Summer get Together

We had so much fun at book club this month. We missed you if you were not there. Our discussion on Heather’s book, Feeling Good Together by David Burns MD, was almost like a therapy session for each of us. We all shared our experiences with using the methods we had learned through reading the book. We agreed that each relationship is unique and they don’t necessarily have the same value attached to it. In the end, we can only really change ourselves, so “let go of the banana!!”.

We were  happy to share the evening with Margaret's friend. Come again, please!  Heather has also recommended reading books by Harriet Lerner. They are similar to the book we just read. We also have some kindle edition books to recommend. Not sure if these are available in print though. Her Nowhere by Brigetta Schwaiger and Italian Journey by James Ernest Shaw. An interesting site to check out is Pixelofink.com. Telarry shared this with us last month and you can download free kindle books each day.

We are going to break from our traditional meetings for July. Heather is willing to host a lazy afternoon of reading and talking. Bring a book and a folding chair and come enjoy the lake on Thursday afternoon July 19th at 1:00.

Looking ahead to August, Debbie is hosting our next formal meeting August 2 at 7pm. Her book pick is Everlost by Neal Shusterman :

                              

Goodreads review says: 

Nick and Allie don't survive the car accident... ...but their souls don't exactly get where they're supposed to get either. Instead, they're caught halfway between life and death, in a sort of limbo known as Everlost: a shadow of the living world, filled with all the things and places that no longer exist. It's a magical, yet dangerous place where bands of lost children run wild and anyone who stands in the same place too long sinks to the center of the Earth. When they find Mary, the self-proclaimed queen of lost kids, Nick feels like he's found a home, but Allie isn't satisfied spending eternity between worlds. Against all warnings, Allie begins learning the "Criminal Art" of haunting, and ventures into dangerous territory, where a monster called the McGill threatens all the souls of Everlost. In this imaginative novel, Neal Shusterman explores questions of life, death, and what just might lie in between.

A goodreads reader says:

This book was a perfect blend of imagination and terror. While acknowledging that when the body dies the soul doesn't have much to worry about in physical condition, it also brings up the point of what the soul must face when it leaves its body behind. It is humanity's greatest question, and though there is still no answer, this book allows the mind to create answers beyond reality. I can say with confidence that when you put this book down, you won't look at life in the same perspective. Neal Shusterman has found the healthy balance of ideas, showing the afterlife but leaving religion untouched, something many authors have tried and failed to do.

Wow! That was a lot of information. As always, enjoy reading and see you next month at Heather’s home and in August at Debbie’s house.

June’s Book Club book: Feeling Good Together by David D. Burns MD

Thank you to all who came to book club last night, although we missed those who could not be there. We always have such a wonderful time together and our discussions on and off topic are so good. The Moonflower Vine was a delightful book full of character and family relationships. Although each family is unique in their struggles and connectivity, families are meant to belong to each other and that is something we all share.

Our next book will be hosted by Heather Otte on June 7th at 7pm. We are hoping for good weather so we can enjoy her wonderful deck. Her book pick is:

                                      

Goodreads review says:    

"Why won’t my husband ever express his feelings?"
“Why won’t my wife listen?"
“Why is my sister such a control freak?"
"Why does my ex act like such a total jerk?"
“What’s wrong with people?”

We all have someone we can’t get along with—whether it’s a friend or colleague who complains constantly, a relentlessly critical boss, an obnoxious neighbor, a teenager who pouts and slams doors (all the while insisting she’s not upset), or maybe a loving, but irritating spouse.
In his bestselling book, Feeling Good, Dr. David Burns introduced Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, a clinically proven, drug-free therapy that has revolutionized the treatment of clinical depression throughout the world. Now, in Feeling Good Together, he presents Cognitive Interpersonal Therapy, a radical new approach that will help you transform troubled, conflicted relationships into successful, happy ones.

A Goodreads reader says:       This is a great book about communications. It has you take personal responsibility for your communication, then teaches you to listen and to act on what you hear, rather than to react, and cause more problems. Good skill building book for all types of relationships, not just marriage. A book everyone should read.

Heather was excited about this book and just kept going back to it for her choice for this next month. We have 5 weeks to read this time so enjoy the book and we will see you next month.

Diane

May’s Book: The Moonflower Vine by Jetta Carleton

Book club was very interesting this month because we were so polarized by our feelings for this book. Some loved it and some did not. Either way, we all found something to relate to and the writing was very good. We love book club and our differences in our book choices make our discussions exciting and enjoyable. Thanks Heather for a wonderful evening and the popcorn was to die for!!

Because of a scheduling conflict Sue will be moving our meeting date backward by one week. We still have 4 weeks to read her book so hopefully everyone will be okay with the change. Sue will host on Thursday April 26th at 7pm.  Her book pick is:

                                    

Goodreads review says:       On a farm in western Missouri during the first half of the twentieth century, Matthew and Callie Soames create a life for themselves and raise four headstrong daughters. Jessica will break their hearts. Leonie will fall in love with the wrong man. Mary Jo will escape to New York. And wild child Mathy's fate will be the family's greatest tragedy. Over the decades they will love, deceive, comfort, forgive—and, ultimately, they will come to cherish all the more fiercely the bonds of love that hold the family together.

A goodreads readers says:      This story is quaint, charming, old-fashioned, sometimes sad, and very well written. It's about rural family life in Missouri in the early 1900s.
The book starts in the voice of Mary Jo Soames, the youngest daughter by a far margin. It's the early 1950s, and all the grown daughters are finishing up their yearly summer visit on the farm with their parents, Matthew and Callie. From there it goes back in time to explore the joys and struggles of the various family members. It's all told in the third person, so each section is about the whole family while focusing more on one person.
The author showed an impressive understanding of family dynamics and each person's inner battles as they try to find a balance between satisfying their all-too-human urges and doing right by those who love them.
And besides all that, it's just a thoroughly enjoyable, revealing, sometimes funny story about a bygone time with no running water or 'lectricity.

Enjoy reading and we will see you at Sue’s home on April 26th.

April’s book: Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer

We had a grand time discussing Outliers at Margaret’s home. Each of us brought a slightly different opinion and point of view, but in the end we all agreed preparation and opportunity plus our own unique set of circumstances most likely spells success (which can be defined in more than one way). Whew! It was a good book and one that opens our minds to interesting things to think about. Thanks Margaret and yummy dessert too!

Welcome to Sue Woodleaf. We are so glad you could join us and look forward to seeing you again. We are always open to new friends joining in on the discussion.

Our next book will be hosted by Heather Demars on MARCH 29. Her book pick is:

                                      

A review from Goodreads:  Nine-year-old Oskar Schell has embarked on an urgent, secret mission that will take him through the five boroughs of New York. His goal is to find the lock that matches a mysterious key that belonged to his father, who died in the World Trade Center on the morning of September 11. This seemingly impossible task will bring Oskar into contact with survivors of all sorts on an exhilarating, affecting, often hilarious, and ultimately healing journey.

A goodreads reader wrote:  …  just finished Jonathan Safran Foer's novel last night, late, because I couldn't sleep and I only had a little bit left to read. At it's end, I wept. It is not a sentimental book. It's written in experimental style, with doodles and photos and random placement of words, phrases, dialogue running into each other sometimes, weird indentations, and POVs that once in a while jump around, even tho' sticking with the "I" voice. There were times I thought, "Hey! This seems like a writing exercise he just threw in there! An excellent one, but nonetheless, seemingly distracting."
Yet it all comes together in the end. Not comes around -- no, it's not circular in that neat, narrative way most fiction perhaps tries to attain. It's random and all over and often exasperating to follow. But it FEELS like experience and in the end, it FEELS like you lived it, because the final words encompass you in a most comprehensive, compassionate, resonant, moving way.

I think that sums this book up nicely. I too read the book and it was random and seemingly unconnected, but I finished it and began again. I loved the last 50 or so pages and it made me want to read the book again. The second time around was so different for me because I understood the connection and it made sense. Not that you have to read it twice, but I feel different about the book because of my second read through.

Happy reading. See you on MARCH 29th at 7pm at Heather Demars home.

March’s Book: Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell

What an exciting time we had a book club this month!! Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet sparked several differing opinions but we all agreed that the book was a great one to read. We love our ladies and the fun we have together.

Margaret Vidmar will be hosting March 1st (the first Thursday in March) at 7pm.  Her book pick is:

                                        

Goodreads review says:  

"In this provocative and inspiring book, Malcolm Gladwell examines everyone from business giants to scientific geniuses, sports stars to musicians, and reveals what they have in common. He looks behind the spectacular results, the myths and the legends to show what really explains exceptionally successful people." Gladwell argues that, when we try to understand success, we normally start with the wrong question. We ask 'what is this person like?' when we should really be asking 'where are they from?' The real secret of success turns out to be surprisingly simple, and it hinges on a few crucial twists in people's life stories - on the culture they grow up in and the way they spend their time.

A goodreads readers writes:

I picked up this book on a whim not knowing anything about it and was captivated by the subject and writing. Malcolm Gladwell explains in an academic yet simple way how seemingly "self-made" superstars in business, sports and life are actually the result of hard work, incredible opportunities, culture and timing. From Mozart to the Beatles to Bill Gates to hockey superstars he builds a case for this very theory. Surprisingly fun and a fast read, this book prompts much thought and discussion involving the secrets to success. Outliers is a book that you read out loud to anyone who is nearby (and will listen) and causes you to bring up these examples in conversation. I am not sure I have read a book recently that covers such a thought provoking ideas while reads so smoothly. Gladwell uses such relevant examples that you have a very easy time "getting it". I highly recommend this book and have already secured my copies of his other two similar books, Blink and Tipping Point. I highly enjoyed this!

This is a fascinating book and I am looking forward to our discussion.

Happy reading!!

February’s Book: Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

It is a brand new year!! So many books, so little time. I am looking forward to reading our book club picks this year. It is a wonderful evening full of discussion and laughter. We are very blessed to have such a wonderful group of friends.

We will start out with Telarry Anderson hosting our February meeting on the 2nd at 7pm. Please note that we have switched our meetings to the first Thursday of each month.   Telarry’s pick is":

                                

In the opening pages of Jamie Ford’s stunning debut novel, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, Henry Lee comes upon a crowd gathered outside the Panama Hotel, once the gateway to Seattle’s Japantown. It has been boarded up for decades, but now the new owner has made an incredible discovery: the belongings of Japanese families, left when they were rounded up and sent to internment camps during World War II. As Henry looks on, the owner opens a Japanese parasol.
This simple act takes old Henry Lee back to the 1940s, at the height of the war, when young Henry’s world is a jumble of confusion and excitement, and to his father, who is obsessed with the war in China and having Henry grow up American. While “scholarshipping” at the exclusive Rainier Elementary, where the white kids ignore him, Henry meets Keiko Okabe, a young Japanese American student. Amid the chaos of blackouts, curfews, and FBI raids, Henry and Keiko forge a bond of friendship–and innocent love–that transcends the long-standing prejudices of their Old World ancestors. And after Keiko and her family are swept up in the evacuations to the internment camps, she and Henry are left only with the hope that the war will end, and that their promise to each other will be kept.

“A tender and satisfying novel set in a time and a place lost forever, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet gives us a glimpse of the damage that is caused by war--not the sweeping damage of the battlefield, but the cold, cruel damage to the hearts and humanity of individual people. Especially relevant in today's world, this is a beautifully written book that will make you think. And, more importantly, it will make you feel."
-- Garth Stein, New York Times bestselling author of The Art of Racing in the Rain

A goodreads reader reviewed this book:     I'm always a little behind the curve when it comes to reading blockbuster NYT bestsellers. I think a part of me resists because I love finding "little" books that deserve kudos and talking about them. But I had heard so many good things about THE HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET that I bought it, though I sat on it a while before I cracked it open to read. Once I did, I was hooked instantly by the wonderful character of Henry Lee, a 12-year-old boy in Seattle's Chinatown during the early years of America's involvement in WWII. Henry's relationship with Keiko, a Japanese girl at his otherwise white school, is frowned upon by his father (in fact, he doesn't even tell his parents about Keiko for a long time). I so enjoyed seeing the boy Henry was (in the 1940s) interspersed with more modern chapters (1980s) so I also viewed the man he became. A sweet and eye-opening tale about love and humanity during an uncivil era. Highly recommended for readers of all ages.(less)

This is a wonderful book. Enjoy reading and see you on February 2nd at 7pm.