December/Holiday Meeting

 Thanks to Sharon for hosting the Holiday meeting.

The "Naughty Santa Gift Exchange" was met with only one "steal"....

We all enjoyed "A Long Petal of the Sea" by Isalbel Allende.  We learned some of life in the past in Chile, Venezuela and Spain with Franco.

Next month's book will be The Tobacco Wives by Adele Myers

Lindy  will be hosting the next gathering, January 23, 2024.

 

Be sure to check out the other interesting books members are reading on the right (on web version, not visible on mobile version).

October Meeting

 We had a great meeting at Jean's house - thanks to Lindy for arranging to supply all of our books from the library!

 

Wonderful snacks, particularly the choco mouse cake Jean got from Phoenix Bakery in Pittsboro!

Great discussion about western history and the lack of teaching it to middle/high schoolers.  We were all saddened that our government allowed such cruelty and conspiracy to happen on such a large scale at the time.

Sharon will host the "Holiday" meeting - Tuesday December 12th.   Remember that there will be the "Dirty Santa" steal-a-present game so bring a fun wrapped gift to exchange (try to limit it to $15-$20).  

Next month's will be 

A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabella Allende 

Jean has picked up 10 copies of the book so go to her house to pick up your copy of the library book!

Be sure to check out the list to the right of other books members are reading.

September Meeting

There were 5 of us in attendance with Vilma joining us again.  It was so good to see her.  Most of us didn't enjoy Bicycle Diaries or didn't read it.  It was David Byrne's view of cities he had ridden in. He was a part of the rock group, Talking Heads.

 

Next month's book is "Killer of the Flower Moon" by David Grann.  It is historical fiction regarding the Osage Indians in Oklahoma.  The library has it as a kit for book clubs which includes 10 books, plenty for us.  Lindy will check the kit out either later this week or next Monday. She will be able to hand out to those of you who want to read an actual book.  We are allowed to keep them out for 6 weeks. 

 

Thanks MJ for researching that at the library and bringing it to our attention.

 

 

Jean will be hosting October 24.  

 

Check out the list of other books on the right that we've been reading for ideas.

August Meeting

 Last minute change and Dolly was able to host.  We all wish Jean's sister well.  

 

 We all enjoyed the book, "One Thousand White Women" and know it is completely fiction.  We came to understand what the Indians experienced as white settlers crossed the US through the years and settled in the lands that they used to roam subsisting off the land through the ages. 

 

Next book is : " Bicycle Diaries" by David Byrne

Check out the "other books" link - lots of interesting ones this month.

Either Jean or Bonnie will host September 26.

July Meeting

 We had a lovely visit and discussion about our July book Bel Canto.  Well liked by all - discussions about the different characters and the music that was a big part of the book.  In addition, lots of personal family discussions as usual - so nice to have friendly ears sometimes!

 Lindy chose the book for the August meeting - One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus.  Sub-titled (the Journals of May Dodd).  It's a fiction story about a proposal by a group of native Americans to trade for  1000 white women.  Should be a fun read.

The next meeting will be August 22nd at Jean's house and pool - come prepared to splash if you want.  

For future planning, Bonnie has volunteered to host Sept 26th and Dolly has volunteered to host October 24th.

June Meeting

 

We had a delightful time at book club last night. 

MJ  acted as “host” last night by providing the wine and snacks - but we met at Sharon’s house. We mostly sat outdoors in her screened porch. It was a lovely evening! Although it rained unexpectedly around 9P (again).

Book discussed: The Widow Clicquot by Tilar J. Mazzeo (2008).

Book was chosen by Sharon. Most of the book club members who read it, thought the parts of the book featuring the details about the making of champagne was too much. The consensus was that more of the book could have been about the life, motivations and thoughts of Madame Clicquot. That would have been more intriguing. Everyone agreed she was a very amazing woman, and Madame Clicquot was certainly an inspiration for the future of womens’ rights and female entrepreneurship worldwide.

Wines served: MJ found a sparkling Rose wine from France (!) at the local grocery: Veuve du Vernay! It was a tad sweet, refreshing and delicious. Linda volunteered a bottle of dry prosecco - which paired well with the VdV. MJ also brought a bottle of Chateau Souverain Pinot Noir 2021 (California) - which is an exceptionally smooth pinot noir.

 

Next book: Bel Canto by Ann Patchett (2001).

Next meeting: July 25 at Karen's, or Lindy’s if necesary. (Or if Jean’s able to host us at her pool that would be awesome!)

 

 

 

May meeting

Thanks to Sharon for hosting!  She had made a luscious chocolate cake that happened to be vegan.  We all enjoyed at least one slice. 

And then she treated us to espresso!  (Which meant another slice of cake....)

For those interested in the recipe - here is the link:Vegan Choc Cake

 

Much of the discussion early in the evening was about the unfair treatment of women in general throughout history.  Then the subject segued to HMO's and male-dominated organizations.....and somehow ended up with Bonnie telling us about recently bagging her first gobbler turkey with a .410 shotgun!  We have quite the eclectic group!

We did actually discuss the book - Lessons in Chemistry.  It was well liked and we all are in awe of the differences in treatment in women in general since the 1950's - still lots of room for improvement!

 It was getting close to 10pm so time to break up the party....

Our next book will be The Widow Clicquot by Tilar Mazzeo.  MJ will host the meeting on June 27th at 7PM at Virlie's.   

Bonnie has volunteered to host the July meeting.

 

 

April Meeting

 Thanks to Linda for hosting!

We met last night at Linda's lovely home. She is back to good health.  We all enjoyed "What the Wind Knows" by Amy Harmon.  The historical information of the Republic of Ireland in the story was quite good and detailed.  How the author wove it into the story was quite interesting.  

The next book is "Lessons in Chemistry" by Bonnie Garmus.  Since 2 said they would be away May 23, we opted to meet May 30, instead.  Sharon has volunteered to host again.

March Meeting

 Unfortunately Linda was down in the weather so couldn't host the meeting - no worries, this book club is flexible!!  Jean volunteered to host so all was well.

 

 

We all loved "The Rose Code."  We learned some more regarding WWII activities with Bletchley Park and all the codebreaking that went on during the war.  We also learned some back story to Prince Philip's life which was not fiction.

The next book is "What The Wind Knows."  The book was written by Amy Harmon.  The story takes place in Ireland.  We will meet again April 25 with  Linda hosting is she's back to feeling better, if not, Sharon will host.

February Meeting

Thanks to Lindy for hosting!  (Photo courtesy MJ).

 Welcome to new member Carol, friend of Lindy's!

Everyone liked the February book - The Memory Keeper of Kyiv - good discussion and it certainly goes along with the current events in Ukraine.

 

The book for March 28 is "The Rose Code" by Kate Quinn.  This is historical fiction about 3  women who broke the German codes during WWII.  It is reportedly  a great story.  Linda will be hosting March 28.

Be sure to check out the "other books" list to the right for reading ideas.

January Meeting

 Bonnie was the gracious hostess for the January meeting.   

 She had a delicious spread! 

We had a great discussion regarding the content of the book and birth experiences.  Several of us considered the book just "okay".  Some felt the author too wordy and inserted too much information regarding birthing. 

The next book will be "The Memory Keeper of Kyiv" by Erin Litteken.  We will be meeting at Lindy's home on February 28.

 

See the link to the right for other interesting books members are reading.