Becky hosted us at her lovely house in Fairlee for our discussion of Jhumpa Lahiri's Interpreter of Maladies. We were joined by new member Tracy. Welcome! Also present: Darla, Leann, Lisa, and me. Becky served us two wonderful soups -- Jarlsberg bisque and tortilla soup -- and a scrumptious King Arthur Flour chocolate cake. Can you tell we were happy campers? We also did a Yankee swap, which was extremely civilized and featured mainly book-related gifts.
We all loved Lahiri's collection of short stories, even Darla, who prefers long stories she can really get into. Seemed like some stories were clear favorites, like the first one about the impact of a power outage on a struggling young couple. One searching question Becky asked was, "Would we have loved it as much if the collection had started with a different story?" I don't believe anyone had an answer for that! For myself, I can imagine being drawn in by many of the other stories just as easily. We agreed that the author really captures the Indian immigrant experience, and some of us plan to read the author's novel, The Namesake.
For our next book, we plan to "go political" and read Sam Harris' The End of Faith: Religion, Terror, and the Future of Reason. Please, everyone take a look at it and confirm that we should actually read it. I tried to describe it at the meeting, but since I didn't remember the author or the title, I wasn't very informative. And I'd like the choice to informed.
Next meeting will be at my house in late January, and I will make something from the beautiful soup cook book I swiped from Leann during the Yankee Swap.
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Thursday, October 13, 2005
October 12 meeting - The Secret Life of Bees
We had a lovely time at Darla's, where we admired her new kitchen and bathrooms (we love your reading nook at the top of the stairs, Darla!) and enjoyed the two soups she served (forgive me if I don't get them right, I stuck with the first one, yum!), cheese and potato soup and German sausage soup. Thanks, too, for the male contributions - stuffed mushrooms for an appetizer and homemade cheesecake for dessert.
We were happy to welcome a new member, Kristen. Great to have you!
We discussed The Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk Kidd. Everybody enjoyed it and we had quite a discussion. Did she or didn't she kill her mother? Was August really perfect or was it just the viewpoint of a pre-teen? Did you feel hot while you were reading it, those descriptions being just too evocative?
We decided to take on short stories for our next meeting. So here's the lowdown:
When: Wednesday, December 7
Where: Becky's (Fairlee - she'll send directions)
What: Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
And for those who are interested: November 30th Gregory Maguire, the author of Wicked, will be at the Norwich Bookstore. Darla's going to try to get seats for us; if you haven't already, let her know if you want to go. Nancy is going to try to get seats for Ron Powers (his latest is a biography of Mark Twain) on October 26; let her know if you're interested.
We were happy to welcome a new member, Kristen. Great to have you!
We discussed The Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk Kidd. Everybody enjoyed it and we had quite a discussion. Did she or didn't she kill her mother? Was August really perfect or was it just the viewpoint of a pre-teen? Did you feel hot while you were reading it, those descriptions being just too evocative?
We decided to take on short stories for our next meeting. So here's the lowdown:
When: Wednesday, December 7
Where: Becky's (Fairlee - she'll send directions)
What: Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
And for those who are interested: November 30th Gregory Maguire, the author of Wicked, will be at the Norwich Bookstore. Darla's going to try to get seats for us; if you haven't already, let her know if you want to go. Nancy is going to try to get seats for Ron Powers (his latest is a biography of Mark Twain) on October 26; let her know if you're interested.
Monday, August 29, 2005
Leann's Recipes: Summer Soup & Southwestern Bean Salad
SUMMER SOUP
1 bottle (46 oz) reduced-sodium V8 juice
2 cans (14 ½ oz each) Italian diced tomatoes, undrained
(or use your own toms and add Ital. seasoning)
2 cans (5 ½ oz each) spicy hot V8 juice
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 cup shredded carrots
½ cup chopped green onions
½ cup reduced-fat zesty Italian salad dressing
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 garlic clove, minced
¾ teaspoon celery salt
In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. That is all there is to do! Yield: 12 servings.
SOUTHWESTERN BEAN SALAD
SALAD:
1 can (16 oz) kidney beans, rinsed & drained
1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed & drained
1 can (15 oz) garbanzo beans, rinsed & drained
2 celery ribs, sliced
1 med. Red onion, diced
1 med. Tomato, diced
1 cup frozen corn, thawed
DRESSING:
¾ cup thick & chucky salsa
¼ cup vegetable oil
¼ cup lime juice
1 ½ teaspoons chili powder
½ teaspoon ground cumin
In a bowl, combine all beans, celery, onion, tomato and corn. In a small bowl, combine salsa, oil, lime juice, chili powder, and cumin; mix well. Pour over the bean mixture and toss to coat. Cove and chill for at least 2 hours. Yields: 10 servings
1 bottle (46 oz) reduced-sodium V8 juice
2 cans (14 ½ oz each) Italian diced tomatoes, undrained
(or use your own toms and add Ital. seasoning)
2 cans (5 ½ oz each) spicy hot V8 juice
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 cup shredded carrots
½ cup chopped green onions
½ cup reduced-fat zesty Italian salad dressing
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 garlic clove, minced
¾ teaspoon celery salt
In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. That is all there is to do! Yield: 12 servings.
SOUTHWESTERN BEAN SALAD
SALAD:
1 can (16 oz) kidney beans, rinsed & drained
1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed & drained
1 can (15 oz) garbanzo beans, rinsed & drained
2 celery ribs, sliced
1 med. Red onion, diced
1 med. Tomato, diced
1 cup frozen corn, thawed
DRESSING:
¾ cup thick & chucky salsa
¼ cup vegetable oil
¼ cup lime juice
1 ½ teaspoons chili powder
½ teaspoon ground cumin
In a bowl, combine all beans, celery, onion, tomato and corn. In a small bowl, combine salsa, oil, lime juice, chili powder, and cumin; mix well. Pour over the bean mixture and toss to coat. Cove and chill for at least 2 hours. Yields: 10 servings
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
August 22 meeting - The Historian & The Piano Tuner
Leann provided a delicious meal of gazpacho soup and Southwestern bean salad (and a green salad and bread and raw veggies & dip and a buffet of desserts!). We had a lot to catch up but managed to talk about the books too. ;-)
The Historian
About half of us loved this book and couldn't put it down, and the other half thought it was hard to get into and much too long. Lisa appreciated how much of Eastern European history was found in it, making us all miss Liba's unique perspective. We discovered as well that Darla is a reader of vampire and other scary stories. We all enjoyed the idea of Vlad's library (maybe because so many of us are involved in libraries?).
The Piano Tuner
The tables were pretty much reversed with this book; those who loved The Historian found this one hard to get into and vice versa. I'm afraid the conversation was hampered by yours truly because I hadn't finished the book. Thank you for being so evasive, you guys! I did learn there is a twist at the end and the big question was: Is he or isn't he? I will have to find out.
Next Meeting
Our next meeting will be on Wednesday, October 5, at Darla's (before the snow flies and we can still make it up her driveway).
Next Books
Our next books are Sue Monk Kidd's The Secret Life of Bees, and Leonard Chang's Over the Shoulder. If anyone has trouble finding Over the Shoulder, send the group a note. Leonard Chang's Fade to Clear is also excellent and more recent (and features the same main character, Allen Choice).
The Historian
About half of us loved this book and couldn't put it down, and the other half thought it was hard to get into and much too long. Lisa appreciated how much of Eastern European history was found in it, making us all miss Liba's unique perspective. We discovered as well that Darla is a reader of vampire and other scary stories. We all enjoyed the idea of Vlad's library (maybe because so many of us are involved in libraries?).
The Piano Tuner
The tables were pretty much reversed with this book; those who loved The Historian found this one hard to get into and vice versa. I'm afraid the conversation was hampered by yours truly because I hadn't finished the book. Thank you for being so evasive, you guys! I did learn there is a twist at the end and the big question was: Is he or isn't he? I will have to find out.
Next Meeting
Our next meeting will be on Wednesday, October 5, at Darla's (before the snow flies and we can still make it up her driveway).
Next Books
Our next books are Sue Monk Kidd's The Secret Life of Bees, and Leonard Chang's Over the Shoulder. If anyone has trouble finding Over the Shoulder, send the group a note. Leonard Chang's Fade to Clear is also excellent and more recent (and features the same main character, Allen Choice).
Thursday, June 30, 2005
June 29 Meeting - Eragon
A wonderful crowd for the June 29 meeting! New member Christine joined us, Lisa M. who's been lurking since the begining was able to come, and we welcomed back Becky, an original member who moved away and came back. Leann and Lisa L. rounded out the group, as our other members were missing for various and sundry reasons. (You're truly has been stricken with the plague and the group should be glad I didn't come breathe on them. ;-)
I asked Lisa L., our hostess, to summarize the discussion of Eragon, and here's what she said:
"We agreed lots of HP and Tolkien in it, but as I pointed out in the discussion, these types of books are what are getting Reece's age group to read again, and families are finding them interesting enough to read together, to discuss. All of us liked the Dragon, Saphira, and also the fact that Eragon did not choose to be who he was, and didn't buy into this quest right away. The WereCat was a great touch, we all being cat people thought it was an interesting and original character. And the ending was too abrupt, almost as if he wanted us to buy the next book. This is again something that seems quite common for these young adult books, as is the pace of the book, where there is not a moment of breathing space! Some of us have already pre-ordered the next book, and agreed that we will be interested to see how his writing has evolved."
Thanks Lisa! I hear your gazpacho was yummy, and I'm sorry I missed it.
Next meeting has been scheduled for Monday, August 22, 6:30 p.m. We'll be meeting at Leann's and reading two books: The Historian, by Elizabeth Kostova and The Piano Tuner, by Daniel Mason.
Happy reading!
I asked Lisa L., our hostess, to summarize the discussion of Eragon, and here's what she said:
"We agreed lots of HP and Tolkien in it, but as I pointed out in the discussion, these types of books are what are getting Reece's age group to read again, and families are finding them interesting enough to read together, to discuss. All of us liked the Dragon, Saphira, and also the fact that Eragon did not choose to be who he was, and didn't buy into this quest right away. The WereCat was a great touch, we all being cat people thought it was an interesting and original character. And the ending was too abrupt, almost as if he wanted us to buy the next book. This is again something that seems quite common for these young adult books, as is the pace of the book, where there is not a moment of breathing space! Some of us have already pre-ordered the next book, and agreed that we will be interested to see how his writing has evolved."
Thanks Lisa! I hear your gazpacho was yummy, and I'm sorry I missed it.
Next meeting has been scheduled for Monday, August 22, 6:30 p.m. We'll be meeting at Leann's and reading two books: The Historian, by Elizabeth Kostova and The Piano Tuner, by Daniel Mason.
Happy reading!
Friday, May 20, 2005
May 19 Meeting - Wicked
A small but thoughtful group discussed Wicked last night at Nancy's. We wanted to take the book at face value, but there were just so many niggly questions! I believe the consensus was that we liked it, but it struck us each a little differently, and most of us felt we were waiting for something to happen -- for Dorothy to show up, for instance.
We're going to try something different next time: Eragon, by Chrisotpher Paolini. Lisa's son Reece suggested it. How could we resist?
Next meeting is Wednesday June 29th, at Lisa's. Happy reading!
P.S. I made Italian Sausage Soup; click here for the recipe.
We're going to try something different next time: Eragon, by Chrisotpher Paolini. Lisa's son Reece suggested it. How could we resist?
Next meeting is Wednesday June 29th, at Lisa's. Happy reading!
P.S. I made Italian Sausage Soup; click here for the recipe.
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
March 14 Meeting - The Kite Runner
We had a lovely meal of paella and chickpea salad at Liba's beautiful home and a rousing discussion of the The Kite Runner. Everyone loved it. We talked a bit about the immigrant experience and the effects of trauma on children. I complained that the second half of the story took on an archetypal cast, and Lisa hit the nail on the head when she said it reminded her of a folk tale. It reads like part memoir, part Afghani folk tale. We speculated that the early part of the book might be based on the author's experience, but nobody really knew about him. So, I found an article from SFgate.com about him. Check it out.
All in all, good food, good book, and good discussion.
Our next meeting will be Thursday, April 28th, at Nancy's, and we will read Gregory Maguire's Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. When you are finished reading, you might want to check out Wicked on Broadway.net, which talks about the musical adaption of the book and has a page comparing the book to the play.
All in all, good food, good book, and good discussion.
Our next meeting will be Thursday, April 28th, at Nancy's, and we will read Gregory Maguire's Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. When you are finished reading, you might want to check out Wicked on Broadway.net, which talks about the musical adaption of the book and has a page comparing the book to the play.
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Norwich Bookstore Author Appearances
Darla has reserved 6 seats for our group to attend some author readings at the Norwich Bookstore on April 13 and May 4 at 7 p.m.
April 13 - Jodi Picoult, discussing her latest, Vanishing Acts http://www.jodipicoult.com/index.htm
May 4 - Sue Miller, disucssing her latest, Lost in the Forest
http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?1400042267
Please let Darla know if you can go; if we can all make it, we can get another seat reserved.
April 13 - Jodi Picoult, discussing her latest, Vanishing Acts http://www.jodipicoult.com/index.htm
May 4 - Sue Miller, disucssing her latest, Lost in the Forest
http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?1400042267
Please let Darla know if you can go; if we can all make it, we can get another seat reserved.
Friday, February 04, 2005
February 3 Meeting - The Plot Against America
We had a lovely evening and a delicious meal at Sue's house. She made a delicious lentil soup and a fabulous baba ganoush. Thanks Sue!
We also welcomed a new member, Liba. It's great that you could join us!
We had much roving discussion, but we touched on alot of stuff in The Plot Against America. Consensus was that although it started a little slowly, we liked it. The ending seemed abrupt and the plot turn that brought us there contrived, but the powerful moral of the story is "it could happen here." Liba brought a fascinating perspective. Having grown up in Czechoslovakia, it reminded her of stories her parents told and thiings that had happend after WWII, and it had the thorough ring of authenticity.
We chose The Kite Runner as our next book, and we'll be meeting March 14 at Liba's house. Happy reading!
--N
We also welcomed a new member, Liba. It's great that you could join us!
We had much roving discussion, but we touched on alot of stuff in The Plot Against America. Consensus was that although it started a little slowly, we liked it. The ending seemed abrupt and the plot turn that brought us there contrived, but the powerful moral of the story is "it could happen here." Liba brought a fascinating perspective. Having grown up in Czechoslovakia, it reminded her of stories her parents told and thiings that had happend after WWII, and it had the thorough ring of authenticity.
We chose The Kite Runner as our next book, and we'll be meeting March 14 at Liba's house. Happy reading!
--N
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
Book Group Thursday
Of course everybody already knows we're meeting this Thursday, February 3rd, instead of January 31. But here it is anyway! Sue's house. Thetford. 6:30. The Plot Against America. Want to read Philip Roth's explanation of why he wrote the book? Click here (NYT essay).
Leann and I were chatting, wishing there were uplifting fiction books to read. I did some poking around on the Amazon lists and didn't come up with a lot. One that looked interesting was Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, by Gregory Maguire (Regan Books; Reprint edition, November 6, 1996).
See you all Thursday!
--Nancy
Leann and I were chatting, wishing there were uplifting fiction books to read. I did some poking around on the Amazon lists and didn't come up with a lot. One that looked interesting was Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, by Gregory Maguire (Regan Books; Reprint edition, November 6, 1996).
See you all Thursday!
--Nancy
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