March Book Club: Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

What a crazy bunch of reading nuts we are to brave the frigid winter weather to get together and discuss our book. We regretted not flying down to Arizona and having a private one on one discussion with Gena about her book but despite the cold we had a heart warming discussion about facing challenges and what success looks like. We learned interesting things about each other and had some really good laughs. Thank you Alicia for choosing this book and for hosting.

We will be meeting on the first WEDNESDAY of the month during the rest of this year.

Tansy will host our next book club meeting on Wednesday March 5th at 7pm. Her book pick is:

                      

Goodreads review says:   From the day she arrives at quiet Mica High in a burst of color and sound, hallways hum “Stargirl.” She captures Leo Borlock’s heart with one smile. She sparks a school-spirit revolution with one cheer. The students of Mica High are enchanted. Until they are not. Leo urges her to become the very thing that can destroy her - normal.

A Goodreads reader says:   Stargirl is an amazing book about individuality and nonconformism. A home-schooled girl named Stargirl begins attending the public high school for her sophomore year. Stargirl is different.
She learns everybody's birthdays and on the day of, she sings them a happy birthday song -- accompanying herself on the ukulele -- in the middle of the lunch room, whether they want her to or not. She watches a young boy who lives across the street so that she can create a scrapbook for him without his knowledge. She is, in almost every way, unconventional.
The voice of the book is a young man who becomes fascinated by Stargirl and befriends her, even though many of her antics make her an outcast, otherwise. Through a series of events, she becomes wildly popular, then widely despised. For this boy, she experiments with being conventional for awhile.
The book is fascinating. It explores a lot of issues centered around social conventions and how they play in our lives for good or ill. And they take place at a stage of life when kids are most susceptible to peer pressure. Jerry Spinelli's insights are thought-provoking and engaging. In the end, the book makes you want to be a better person, perhaps in ways that aren't quite "normal." It reminds me of a talk given by Dallin H. Oaks, in which he said, "... This requires us to make some changes from our family culture, our ethnic culture, or our national culture. We must change all elements of our behavior that are in conflict with gospel commandments, covenants, and culture." The genius of it is that the book does this without being particularly preachy.

A reading suggestion from Debbie is from a blog that she found recently. It is called The Moments we Stand. It is very well written as she shares  insights about the tragic events in her life and how the atonement and the gospel has helped her get her life back. This is worth checking out.

Thanks for a great evening as always and see you next month.

February Book Club: Standing Out: Sometimes Alone by Gena Mabee

We had a great time together at the movies, even if the weather wasn’t very cooperative. We missed all those who were unable to join us and we realize we need to settle on a night to get together that will work for as many as possible. So… while we are deciding, Alicia Fawson will be hosting our next book club in February. Her book choice is:

                      

Goodreads review says: 

In her first week as a college freshman, Gena recalls the
misery of middle school, the redemption of high school
and the challenge of social maneuvering as a devout
Christian in the LDS Church who secretly craves
popularity and a boyfriend. Now she wrestles with the
uncertainty of her bold decision to go to a college where
she will once again have to figure out how to be happy
while standing out, sometimes alone.

Beth Nelson actually knows this writer. She meet her in Oregon where Beth used to live. This book comes highly recommended so it should make for a great choice for our group to read.

Looking forward to getting together.

December Book Club: Poetry Night

Thanks Tanya for hosting a great evening. We thoroughly enjoy discussing the life of  “Aunt Shirley”.  Her attitude about life in a wheel chair is so positive and catching. She truly saw the good and enjoyed herself and made a difference to so many. We also want to welcome our new friend Rachelle. We are so glad to have you join us and share your insights and love of a good book.

Our next book club meeting is going to be a first! Sue Mitchell is hosting a poetry night. Everyone is going to bring a favorite poem and then we will enjoy talking about them and looking for the imagery and all the cool stuff that makes poems so awesome. If you can’t bring a poem don’t let that stop you from coming. We want you there!

We also want to try a book exchange and December is a great month to do so. Everyone bring a wrapped book to give away. It can be one from your shelves or one from Value Village and then we will all go home with a book. Sounds fun!

We will be meeting at Sue’s home on Wednesday Dec 4th at 7pm . We will be changing our days to meet starting in January. This last year we meet on Tuesdays and we will be changing to the first WEDNESDAY of each month.

Get started looking for a poem to share and see you next month.

November Book Club: The Perils of Being Permanently Seated by Shirley Watson

 

We enjoyed another wonderful evening together discussing Heathers book The Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore. How grateful we are for the circumstances of our lives and how amazing those in seemingly less than favorable circumstances can be an inspiration and a teacher to the world. Thank you Heather for exposing us to an insightful book. We can all do more together to make the world a better place for everyone.

Next month we will be meeting again on WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 6TH at 7pm. Tanya will be our host and her book pick is:

 Amazon review says:    When Shirley Watson became a quadriplegic from a car accident at age twenty, she decided not to be defined by her paralysis but would meet her challenges with humor. This narrative is a collection of 55 years of Christmas letters she wrote to family and friends. Laugh along with Shirley as you read about the many Perils of Being Permanently Seated in a society designed for those who are mobile...

Being one of the first to attend a University in a wheel chair in the 1960's, where no concessions like ramps, elevators, or handicapped designated parking spaces were made for her immobility, Shirley is a true pioneer.

She went on to advocate for and inspire hundreds of students during her 25 year career teaching Special Education in her home town of Toledo, Washington.

A Reader review says:      This book takes you through years of experiences that an amazing woman has had since her car accident which left her paralyzed from the chest to her toes. You will laugh, you will cry, you will be captivated by some of the things that she has accomplished in her life. She is an adorable woman who has made the very worst situation one of the best. She is loved by many and I am proud to say that I am related to her and that I love her dearly. This is a must read book for everyone in whatever circumstances you find yourself. It will give you courage to go on with life and make the best of it.

Tanya is going to try and get a group discount for us to purchase this on amazon. She will get us further details on that. If you are a prime member you can borrow it at no charge.

See you next month!

October Book Club: Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore

We had a great evening together again sharing our thoughts and ideas about our shared love of literature. The Rent Collector, although not strong in character and voice, was certainly a novel to treasure for it’s snippets of truth and message of hope and redemption. Life is hard in most any setting and all could relate with our own daily struggles to find meaning and hope in our own lives.

We are so excited to welcome our newest friends. Shauna, Tanya and Alicia we hope you will come again and share with us our friendship and love of books. We welcome your ideas and insights.

We will need to adjust our scheduled day for next year so be thinking of which day will work for you.

Our next book club meeting will be hosted by Heather on WEDNESDAY (a change in the day for this month only) October 2nd at 7pm. Her book pick is:

                                

Goodreads review says: 

Meet Denver, a man raised under plantation-style slavery in Louisiana in the 1960s; a man who escaped, hopping a train to wander, homeless, for eighteen years on the streets of Dallas, Texas. No longer a slave, Denver's life was still hopeless-until God moved. First came a godly woman who prayed, listened, and obeyed. And then came her husband, Ron, an international arts dealer at home in a world of Armani-suited millionaires. And then they all came together.

But slavery takes many forms. Deborah discovers that she has cancer. In the face of possible death, she charges her husband to rescue Denver. Who will be saved, and who will be lost? What is the future for these unlikely three? What is God doing?

Same Kind of Different As Me is the emotional tale of their story: a telling of pain and laughter, doubt and tears, dug out between the bondages of this earth and the free possibility of heaven. No reader or listener will ever forget it.

A Goodreads reader says:  

This was a book that made me think about the people that I come into contact with and what I can, or have, learned from them. It made me ponder if I have ever really added some sort of value to someone else's existence. I have not had an experience like the relationship in the book (coming together with someone from the opposite side of the track), but I do have people in my life that I can't imagine not having met. It is a rare occasion when a book makes me cry but I found myself choked up as I read by the light of my flashlight in bed. Maybe I was tired? Maybe I am too sensitive? Or maybe it is because the story is a true account of their lives, which always seems to be more vulnerable.

Here are the requested recipes:

Apple Dump Cake:

One package Yellow Cake Mix, 2 cans apple pie filling ( I used my own canned apples), 1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, 1/4 c. brown sugar, 1 c. pecans, chopped, 1 cup unsalted butter. ( I only used 1/2 cup). Preheat oven to 350. Place apple pie filling in a 9x13 and spread evenly. Sprinkle cinnamon and then the brown sugar over apples. Sprinkle the dry cake mix over the apple mixture evenly. Do not stir. Spread the pecans over top. Cut the butter in thin slices and cover the top of the cake mix. Bake for 45 minutes or until top is golden brown.

Frozen Banana Ice cream:

Freeze 2 bananas (peel first and then freeze them). Cut into slices and place in blender. ( I used a Ninja with the 72 oz jar). I added several chunks of frozen pineapple cut into smaller pieces and a handful of frozen raspberries. You really could add any kind of frozen fruit here.) Pour in about 1/4 cup of milk. (I used organic light coconut milk). Blend for about 3 minutes or until everything is mixed up well. This would make about 3 good servings. Enjoy!

You can always check out our blog at libertylakebookclub.blogspot.com

Thanks for a great evening and see you next month!!

September Book Club: The Rent Collector by Camron Wright

What a great evening we had together discussing a topic that was unimaginable and hard to wrap our minds around. Left to Tell is a book you will not forget, but one that teaches us about forgiveness and God’s love for all of his children. Thank you Beth for making us aware of such a beautiful women and her strong faith in overcoming stunning atrocities.

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday September 3rd at 7pm at Diane’s home. Her book pick is:

                           

Goodreads review says:   Survival for Ki Lim and Sang Ly is a daily battle at Stung Meanchey, the largest municipal waste dump in all of Cambodia. They make their living scavenging recyclables from the trash. Life would be hard enough without the worry for their chronically ill child, Nisay, and the added expense of medicines that are not working. Just when things seem worst, Sang Ly learns a secret about the bad-tempered rent collector who comes demanding money--a secret that sets in motion a tide that will change the life of everyone it sweeps past. The Rent Collector is a story of hope, of one woman's journey to save her son and another woman's chance at redemption.

A Goodreads reader says: 

Struggling to survive, Ki Lim and his wife Sang Ly pick their way through Cambodia's largest municipal garbage dump, looking for recyclable goods that can be sold for cash. Add to the fact that the place is reeking with refuge and human waste, the rains cause rivers of filth to constantly flow through their shack, not to mention the ever present threat of fires as a result of methane gas build up under the piles of trash. It's a terrible place to live, let alone raise a family. But Sang Ly is determined to make the best of it and help her sick son have a better life. She knows in her heart the way to a better life is learning to read, and the only teacher available is the hated rent collector; an old woman by the name of Sopeap Sin.
What Sang Ly discovers is that reading is more than just words; reading is the story of our lives. The story she discovers in Sopeap Sin will change her life forever.
This beautifully written work of fiction can change all of our lives if we look at the stories all around us, those that are obvious and those that are not. Wright reminds us of the spark of hope that can exist even in the most unlikely place, we need only recognize it.

Happy Reading!

July Book Club: The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio by Terry Ryan

What a wonderful, relaxing evening we had together discussing Debbie’s book pick of The Honest Truth about Dishonesty by Dan Ariely. We found the book to be well presented with just enough humor and research (perhaps lacking in numbers!) to be enjoyable. We laughed as we talked about our own experiences with honesty and our perceptions of others. It was nice to gather outside under the lights of the umbrella and share our insights with each other. Love you guys! And so yummy fruit pizza. Please share that recipe, Debbie.

Our next meeting will be hosted by Beth Nelson on July 2 at 7 pm. She lives at 704 N. Madson Ct. in Liberty Lake. Her book pick is:

                            

Goodreads review says: Evelyn Ryan, wife of an alcoholic husband and mother of ten children, lived in a small town in a time and place when women did not seek jobs outside the home. When finances ran low, feeling desperate, she turned to her parish priest who suggested she "take in laundry." Ryan had to laugh at the advice because she could barely keep up with her own family's washing and ironing. A lesser woman might have succumbed to poverty, but she was determined to keep her family financially afloat and to teach her children that the life of the mind was important. In the early 1950s, Ryan started entering contests, composing her jingles, poems, and essays at the ironing board. She won household appliances, bikes, watches, clocks, and, occasionally, cash. She won a freezer, and several weeks later, she won a supermarket shopping-spree. When the family was faced with eviction, she received a $5000 first place check from the regional Western Auto Store. Ryan's unconventionality and sense of humor triumphed over poverty, and her persistence makes the reader cheer her on.

A goodreads reader says:  Mix together “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn,” or “The Glass Castle” (for the drunken dad and the poverty) and “Cheaper by the Dozen” or even our own home in Orem, Utah, in the 50's, and you get the feel of this book. Author Terry Ryan lived in my own era, and she captures it perfectly. Hey, their family was even more deprived than we were! And I remember entering those contests, where you complete a jingle in 25 words or less. But I had no idea I was competing against women who wrote jingles full-time, while they did their ironing, and I didn’t know you could submit dozens of entries for each contest. But I’m not bitter. I don’t mind that I never won, especially now that I know the prize money went to a family who needed it so much. So I highly recommend this book.

Looks like this one will be lots of fun to read and talk about.

Coming up for July 30 is Left to Tell by Immaculee Ilibagiza and August 27 The Rent Collector by Camron Wright

Happy Reading!!