December 15 - holiday reading

Nine of us gathered at Nancy's for our annual Christmas meeting and Yankee Swap. We had loads of wonderful appetizers, the standout being Michelle's shrimp cocktail, served with an actual cocktail-- and desserts--Lisa's espresso cake took the cake. The Yankee Swap was our usual mostly-tame affair, with lovely gifts, Heather's bug shirt being the standout here; thanks for making it non-lethal this year, Heather! ;-)

Many holiday reads were discussed. Here's the rundown I captured:

The Red Suit Diaries by Ed Butchard
The 13th Gift by Joanne Huit Smith
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
The Dogs of Christmas by W. Bruce Cameron
An Irish Country Christmas by Patrick Taylor
Christmas at the Mysterious Bookshop edited by Otto Penzler
A Christmas Story by Jean Shepherd (book movie is based on)

Skipping Christmas by John Grisham (book movie Christmas with the Kranks is based on)

All I Learned About Christmas Came From a Little Golden Book by Diane Muldrow

Some non-holiday reading was recommended as well:

True History of the Kelly Gang by Peter Carey
The Spinning Heart by Donal Ryan
Sous Chef by Michael Gibney
The Calle Sisters (where the Brothers Grimm got their stories) - I could not verify this title, please let us know more, whoever suggested this.

By request, here are Heather's recommendations for movies:

The Nativity

Danger in the Manger

NEXT MEETING

We need to figure out where and when, but we have a book! As folks were heading out the door, we realized we hadn't spent a second discussing our next meeting. Lisa mentioned hearing NPR book critic Maureen Corrigan's top twelve of 2014. Someone else said, "Let's just pick on of those," and someone else said "Number seven." OK! So I present to you or first read for 2015:

The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters

November 17 @ the Norwich Inn

Six of us braved the weather for dinner at the Norwich Inn. (Apologies to anyone discouraged from coming by my last-minute panic over the potential for freezing rain.) I think we all agreed the food was delicious, and the size of the group made it easy for everyone to participate in the conversation.

As it was a book show-and-tell, I will leave to you all to chime in on books to post here. However, I want to make a plug for All The Light We Cannot See, which I read and Lisa is listening to right now. A National Book Award finalist, it is amazing

Also, we talked about Irish mystery writers, and I could not remember the name of the one I recently discovered and loved. So here he is: Adrian McKinty. I read In the Morning I'll Be Gone and loved it. If you'd like to read my review, here is the link: http://scrinanbbles.blogspot.com/2014/04/book-review-in-morning-ill-be-gone-by.html

We were supposed to decide what to read for December, but we punted and said read a Christmas story. Since most of us take in Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," I'd like to propose we read the original, and if you can't stand that idea, read another classic tale and tell us about it.

Oh, and our fabulous Yankee Swap! Here's the deal: bring something consumable or book-related, used or new, but not more than $10 if new. Please, no bow-and-arrow sets.

NEXT MEETING

When: Monday, December 15, 6 pm
Where: Nancy's
What: "A Christmas Carol' or other classic holiday tale
What else: Yankee Swap, consumable or book-related ($10 or less)

October 24 - Warm Bodies

Nine lovelies gathered at Leann's for a spooky and delicious nosh and discussion of the book Warm Bodies. We also viewed the movie, during which could oft be heard, "It's better than the book!" How often do you hear that? A reflection of the feelings of many about the book.

Next Meeting
Where: ?
When: ?
What: ?

September 22 - The Bees

Susan hosted a large group for our honey-themed discussion of The Bees by Laline Paull. Delicious foodstuffs, and even cosmetics (thanks Michelle!) were available to all. Leann brought everyone actual honey  as well as Bit-o-Honey candies. Lisa made a wonderful honey cake, about which she says: "Here is the recipe! http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Honey-Cake-367189 (most likely even better if you use the orange zest). As for the glaze, mine was just powdered sugar, whipping cream, lemon zest and lemon juice."

It was an amazing night. Everyone finished the book! And everyone seemed to like it, too.

Next Meeting
Where: Leann's
When: Friday, October 24, 6 pm
What: Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion

Viewing of the movie version of this ZomRomCom is also planned. Costumes welcome!

August 24 - Pool Party at Becky's

Thank you to Darla for serving as scribe! Here is her report:

The pool party was so fun! "The Swimmer" was the perfect short story to discuss at a pool and nice and short for the busy summer. One remark, I believe by Karen, was that it read like a Twilight Zone episode. Several of us want to go back and read it again based on the discussion and because the end makes you want to reread to catch the clues.
The food was fabulous as usual. Finger foods and "water" poolside was perfect. Everyone brought just the right stuff and all bases were covered!

The book recommendations were interesting and varied just like our members, ha!
Lucia, Lucia by Adriana Trigiani (Karen)
The Other Typist by Susanne Rindell (Rebecca)
Cottage For Sale by Kate Whouley (Darla)
Where'd You Go, Bernadette? By Maria Semple (Michelle)
The Bees by Laline Paull (Susan)
A Tale For The Time Being by Ruth Ozeki (Shirley)
The Pearl That Broke It's Shell by Nadia Hashimi (Heather)
The State Of Wonder by Ann Patchett ( Lisa in absentia)

Susan will host in September, date to be decided. It was agreed that the host picks the book!

By request: Darla's Grandma Hilda's Orange Drop Cookies with Orange Glaze

Cream:
1/2 c. shortening
1/8 c butter
3/4 c brown sugar

Add:
1 well beaten egg
1/8 c fresh squeezed orange juice
1/2 Tbsp grated orange peel
1/2 tsp vanilla

Add Alternately:
1 & 3/4 c flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp salt
1/2 c sour milk (add 3/4 capful vinegar to milk before starting & let sit till needed)

Drop by little spoonful on greased cookie sheet. (Cookie dough is fluffy and spreads) 12 per sheet. Makes 4 dozen. 350 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes.

Let cool and spoon glaze over cookies.

Orange Glaze:
1 & 1/2 c confectioners sugar
1/4 c freshly squeezed orange juice
2 tsp orange zest

Everyone else should feel free to send their recipes, it was all delicious! 

July 2 - 'The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry'

Susan hosted a small group for lots of news sharing and munching and, oh yeah, talking about the book! Susan provided us with multiples: two yummy sangrias, two delicious quiches, and a dozen or more wonderful chocolate chip cookies. We also had a lovely arugula salad from Karen, mustard potato salad from me, cheeses & with most interesting and tasty crackers from Leann and Karen, a light and lovely strawberry custard pie from Becky.

It seemed everyone enjoyed the book, although we had our qualms. Susan wished there had been more to the characters, for instance. We all loved the policeman, though. We really did discuss it for quite a while, but alas and alack, I was not taking notes.

Next Meeting
...is book group at the pool! Becky suggested a Sunday in August and that's as far as we got. We also did not pick a book. I've been looking at the best books of the summer list, and I am most intrigued by Rainbow Rowell's Landline. Anybody else have a title they'd like to suggest? We could then do a Doodle poll.

May 9 - 'This is Where I Leave You'

Notes courtesy of Lisa:

A bunch of us gathered at Karen’s last Friday to discuss This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper.  We got into the spirit of the book by preparing foods that were appropriate for sitting Shiva.  Susan and Heather decided to kick it up a notch and “dress” for the occasion.  Between the fishnet stockings, plunging necklines and all of the memorable scenes from the book, we had a really good time.  Most of us felt that the book read like a screenplay and are now planning to see the movie when it comes out in September.

Between the yummy sandwiches, smoked trout and pickled herring, matzo crackers and hummus and three desserts, we ate well.  Through all of the good times, we did settle on what two books to read next, but we did not figure out where to meet or when.

I propose we meet somewhere for dinner, perhaps an outdoor café so we can be ourselves.  If we can do a doodle poll, we can figure out a night and place  that works out for all of us in June.  If we want outdoors, we have a few choices. Molly’s, Salt Hill, 3 Tomatoes, LuiLui’s, Jewel of India or Market Table.

We are planning to read The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zavin for our next meeting and The Gold Train: The Destruction of the Jews and the Looting of Hungary by Ronald W. Zweig, suggested by Susan (right, Susan?), for the following meeting.

Notes from Karen:

Food (might have forgotten something):

Darla - pita chips & hummus

Leann - yummy matzo and dips

Heather - pickled herring and other fish spread

Pam - delicious caprese salad

Susan - chocolate cake with candles

Lisa - Hamantaschen (blueberry and strawberry)

Nancy - pound cake

Marybeth - wine 

Karen - sandwiches: cucumber; beet, goat cheese, & arugula; ham & cheese; cream cheese & olive spread

Here are some of the books we talked about:

The Long Walk

by Slavomir Rawicz

These is my Words: The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine, 1881-1901
by Nancy Turner

The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History

by Robert M. Edsel and Bret Witte

March 27 - "Familiar"

By popular demand, blog posts return! I believe we decided the hostess will summarize the meetings. Thanks to Lisa for this excellent installment!

Nine of us gathered at my house last night to discuss Familiar by J. Robert Lennon.  Many of us had trouble with the characters and especially Elisa’s behavior.  Leann did not finish the book, others had not picked it up yet. We all felt the ending was lacking for various reasons, but it sparked an interesting discussion about grief and what it does to someone, especially between losses of children, and also how hard it is to raise children who have mental health issues.  Here is the Goodread’s link for those who want to read other’s thoughts about the book.  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13538054-familiar

We then had a 2^nd discussion about The Goldfinch because some of us had missed last book group.  Karen remarked about how she remembered Boris the most because she listened to the book.  We talked a lot about listening to a book versus reading it, and Lisa  who is currently listening to A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini mentioned she would probably not have been able to read it, but because the story is being told is hooked.  We also talked about classics and what the current definition of someone well-read really is.  Does it just mean classics, or as many mentioned, should it include works that are important to different countries.  Susan mentioned one friend who is “reading around the world” and Lisa mentioned Nadine Gordimer’s book The Pickup.  I know there was another conversation about Harry Potter too, but I can’t remember the details.

Many thanks  for an amazing assortment of good food, 3 salads! (all good) terrific veggies and hummus and a really good hot dip with sauerkraut from Heather.  Mexican Mac and Cheese and Mint brownies from Karen rounded it out.  Check out the photo!

We welcomed a new member, Pam Fein and below is the book she suggested we read for next time. 

Jonathan Tropper’s This is Where I Leave You

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/13/books/13maslin.html?_r=1&

Nancy suggested Frog Music by Emma Donaghue

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18295858-frog-music

I think there was a 3^rd suggestion but I can't remember what it was.  Nancy has decided not to be our official blogger anymore, but I’m hoping she will post our blogs.  Fuzzy on whether the hostess blogs, or appoints someone so I chose this for now. 

Karen will host next time, and will send a doodle poll for the book choice and the time to meet.  Lisa

Gone Fishin'

After 10 years of faithfully reporting what we read and ate, I'm hanging up the blog. We have a lively mailing list where the real action happens, so do not fear for Book Soup and its participants. I will also continue to keep The Book Soup Canonical List of Books.

Thanks for stopping by, and keep reading!

--Nancy