We had a good meeting last night. Our new format seemed to work and help us stay on task (sounds like school). We visited from 6:30 to 7:00 and then the book discussion began. Most people had their questions printed out with notes written on them, and all got a chance to contribute. Thank you Amy for the wine and snacks and Rachael for the delicious cookies (or should I say Carly)?
I have to admit I didn't finish this book (wasn't the only member). To me, and a few others, the first chapter was so plodding and overwritten (someone referred to it as laborious) that I had a hard time getting interested in the rest of it. That combined with a hectic month of lots of other things to do, ended up giving me many reasons not to finish it. The subject is fantastic and the author sounds like a very interesting character. He is certainly providing a well needed service to the world.
It seems like the members that listened to it on audio enjoyed it a little more than the others, so maybe it is a book that lends itself to that format. Tanya brought the children's version and read it to us. It was a much nicer, succinct tale with fantastic art. The story behind the art was great too. I felt like I was back in the library again. It was fun.
We decided to try to have the December meeting (dinner) on the same day as our regular meetings and I believe that the decision was made to go to George's Pastaria on Dairy Ashford at 6:00 p.m. If that isn't correct, will someone let me know? That date would be Thursday, December 16.
We also discussed a few other books to add to the list and some to take off of the list. I think the easiest suggestion would be to move the February book, Saving CeeCee Honeycutt to January, since it seems that almost everyone has read it and enjoyed it already. We might as well discuss it sooner than later. Since many members have already read it - don't go out and buy a copy - they are plenty to lend.
I am enclosing links to two other books suggested, so you can check them out and see what you think.
The first suggestion was Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult and the second suggestion was The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender. This was also recommended on an Oprah list as "strange but great." Also, please check out other websites regarding book reviews on these books. I just grabbed a couple from the internet. I haven't had time to research either of them yet. I wanted to get the information out to you as quickly as possible.
http://books.google.com/books?id=7OpolRHSQgAC&dq=handle+with+care&sitesec=reviews
http://bestsellers.about.com/od/fictionreviews/gr/handle_care.htm
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127475483
http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jun/06/entertainment/la-ca-aimee-bender-20100606
So for right now, I am proposing that the new year list start as follows:
January 20 -Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman
February 17 - The History of Love by Nicole Krauss
March 17 - either Handle with Care or The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake (voted on by members)
April 21 - A Secret Kept by Tatiana de Rosnay
May 19 - I'd Know You Anywhere: A Novel by Laura Lippman
June - other book selection from March if group is interested
In January, I would also like to spend maybe 15 minutes talking about our goals, etc. for the community project for 2011. Tanya and I visited the Texas Children's Hospital, and we also had a group that delivered items to Star of Hope in November, so I would like for the group to discuss what they want to contribute for 2011. The meetings can mostly be book club, if that is what you want, but people are certainly encouraged to work on projects during the meeting also. Of course, the majority of the project work is done at home during the month.
Thank you for being such a fabulous group of women - working to help the community and also discussing interesting books at the same time. I am excited to see where 2011 will lead us. Hope to see you at George's (or wherever) on December 16. Everyone on the list is invited, even if you were unable to attend many or any of the meetings. You are still a contributing member of the group and it would be great if everyone could meet everyone else involved.
I have to admit I didn't finish this book (wasn't the only member). To me, and a few others, the first chapter was so plodding and overwritten (someone referred to it as laborious) that I had a hard time getting interested in the rest of it. That combined with a hectic month of lots of other things to do, ended up giving me many reasons not to finish it. The subject is fantastic and the author sounds like a very interesting character. He is certainly providing a well needed service to the world.
It seems like the members that listened to it on audio enjoyed it a little more than the others, so maybe it is a book that lends itself to that format. Tanya brought the children's version and read it to us. It was a much nicer, succinct tale with fantastic art. The story behind the art was great too. I felt like I was back in the library again. It was fun.
We decided to try to have the December meeting (dinner) on the same day as our regular meetings and I believe that the decision was made to go to George's Pastaria on Dairy Ashford at 6:00 p.m. If that isn't correct, will someone let me know? That date would be Thursday, December 16.
We also discussed a few other books to add to the list and some to take off of the list. I think the easiest suggestion would be to move the February book, Saving CeeCee Honeycutt to January, since it seems that almost everyone has read it and enjoyed it already. We might as well discuss it sooner than later. Since many members have already read it - don't go out and buy a copy - they are plenty to lend.
I am enclosing links to two other books suggested, so you can check them out and see what you think.
The first suggestion was Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult and the second suggestion was The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender. This was also recommended on an Oprah list as "strange but great." Also, please check out other websites regarding book reviews on these books. I just grabbed a couple from the internet. I haven't had time to research either of them yet. I wanted to get the information out to you as quickly as possible.
http://books.google.com/books?id=7OpolRHSQgAC&dq=handle+with+care&sitesec=reviews
http://bestsellers.about.com/od/fictionreviews/gr/handle_care.htm
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127475483
http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jun/06/entertainment/la-ca-aimee-bender-20100606
So for right now, I am proposing that the new year list start as follows:
January 20 -Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman
February 17 - The History of Love by Nicole Krauss
March 17 - either Handle with Care or The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake (voted on by members)
April 21 - A Secret Kept by Tatiana de Rosnay
May 19 - I'd Know You Anywhere: A Novel by Laura Lippman
June - other book selection from March if group is interested
In January, I would also like to spend maybe 15 minutes talking about our goals, etc. for the community project for 2011. Tanya and I visited the Texas Children's Hospital, and we also had a group that delivered items to Star of Hope in November, so I would like for the group to discuss what they want to contribute for 2011. The meetings can mostly be book club, if that is what you want, but people are certainly encouraged to work on projects during the meeting also. Of course, the majority of the project work is done at home during the month.
Thank you for being such a fabulous group of women - working to help the community and also discussing interesting books at the same time. I am excited to see where 2011 will lead us. Hope to see you at George's (or wherever) on December 16. Everyone on the list is invited, even if you were unable to attend many or any of the meetings. You are still a contributing member of the group and it would be great if everyone could meet everyone else involved.
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