Seven of us gathered around the fire pit at Lisa's to discuss The Martian. Lisa had some theme food for us (potato salad, which was "a little chipoltle" and incredible), a yummy kale (from Charlie's garden) and rice casserole, and strawberry cake (100% from scratch). The rest of us filled in with appetizers, except for the Karens. Karen S. brought us a cooling watermelon gazpacho and Karen M. supplied us with Mars Bar cookies in abstentia (we missed you!).After our usual general chat, we had a long discussion about the book. I believe everyone who read it liked it. I admit, I put it down, but it sounds like I gave up just before it got more interesting as more characters and viewpoints were added. Also interesting: needing to know how the main character fared drove some of us who never read the end first to do just that. The book itself is a great rags-to-riches story; not only is it a first novel, it was self-published and did so well a mainstream publisher picked up. Soon to be a major motion picture starring Matt Damon and directed by Ridley Scott, I see a Book Soup movie outing in our future!
NEXT MEETINGWhere: Becky's pool
When: Mid-to-late August
What: The Last Bookaneer by Matthew Pearl
