June 25 - Jill McCorkle's Life After Life

Seven of us gathered at Nancy B.'s to discuss Life After Life by Jill McCorkle and to farewell Mary Beth from the group. Mary Beth has a new and fabulous job in Burlington, and we will miss her greatly. Of course, Burlington isn't far away, and there was much talk of taking Book Soup on the road. As a parting gift, Karen made one of her beautiful bags with book fabric, and we put books for Mary Beth to read in it. (She seemed extremely excited to get World War Z....)

Nancy chose a Mexican theme for the feast. She started us off with mojitos. (Wikipedia defines these as "a traditional Cuban highball." Fancy! And extremely good.) For the main course, we had sumptuous burritos with chicken, spicy black beans, avocado, and this amazing sauce. Lisa made a yummy black bean salad we  had on the side, and we had tortilla chips and salsa courtesy of Leann. Karen provided homemade strawberry shortcake for dessert.

I think Lisa was the only one to finish the book in time, but many of us were far enough through to discuss plot and characters and compare it to Kate Atkinson. Atkinson's book was heavier somehow, and a more difficult concept to get a grasp of. McCorkle's felt lighter, although it covered many weighty and unhappy subjects. And the structure was also a challenge to follow at first. But we all found characters to love and really liked the book once we got into it.

Next Meeting
Where: Becky's pool
When: When Becky is ready
What: Book show and tell

May 14 - Kate Atkinson's Life After Life

We were small group of 5 who gathered at Lisa's to discuss Kate Atkinson's Life After Life. Lisa mad a lovely strata with leftovers from a weekend BBQ, and who are we to argue with an entree that's easier for the hostess than an appetizer? Karen made cute little olive and cream cheese sandwiches, and we also had sushi (from Darla), almonds, stuffed olives, and pita chips. Even better, we had three desserts: Lisa's angel-food cake with a creamy strawberry icing, peanut butter chocolate chip brownies (from me), and fabulous multicolored layer cookies (from Leann).

Overall consensus on the book was it was good but violent and it lagged in the middle. Lisa had the most interesting theories about the plot (could Izzie's son have become Hitler?). Izzie and Hugh were favorite characters, and some of the scenes from Ursula's childhood, where she's trying to figure out how to change the course of things, were favorites as well. I think we all agreed that it was quite interesting and we didn't completely know what it all meant.

Naturally, we were reading and recommending many other books. Here are the ones Karen wrote down for us:

Canada, by Richard Ford
The Sherlockian, by Graham Moore
Overcome, by Carmen Tarleton
Fairy Tales From the Brothers Grimm, by Philip Pullman
The Voyage, by Philip Caputo
The 19^th Wife, by David Ebershoff

Other books by Kate Atkinson: Case Histories; One Good Turn; When Will There be Good News?; Started Early, Took My Dog.

NEXT MEETING

We looked through a copy of the newsletter Indie Next and decided to read the other book entitled Life After Life, which came out at the same time as Kate Atkinson's. And that's as far as we got. Expect another Doodle poll in your in-box soon.

What: Jill McCorkle's Life After Life 

When: TBD

Where: TBD

April 9 - Dorothy Parker

Seven of us gathered at Leann's for our finger-food-only meeting and discussion of Dorothy Parker's short stories and poems. We had the most delicious stuff to eat: appetizers made with dates, apricots, asparagus; cool fresh veggies and warm chili; and tarts for dessert. We all found the arrangement quite filling enough and worth doing again.

Before we discussed the author of the night, we talked about the passing of Mary Beth's mother and Susan's mother-in-law. I hope they felt the support of friends; I was glad I was there to hear about these two wonderful women.

We did actually discuss Dorothy Parker some; her wit was much appreciated, although not so much her dark side. Heather printed out some of her short poems and gave us each one to read. It really brought out the humor. Thanks Heather!

Karen noted some of the other books we talked about:
The Paris Wife
A Dog’s Purpose
The Gilly Salt Sisters (I have a copy of this if anyone would like to borrow it)

NEXT MEETING

Where: Lisa's (thank you for offering even though you couldn't join us, Lisa!)
What: Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
When: TBD

February 27 - The Round House

Seven of us gathered at the Norwich Inn for a wine tasting book group meeting. We eventually all got in the same room and talked about the book. A difficult topic was given an approachable treatment. We all loved the boys and felt Louise Erdrich had captured them perfectly. Six of us eventually went upstairs to have dinner and use our coupons that came with the wine tasting. My dinner was quite good, and I think everyone else enjoyed theirs as well.

Next Meeting
Where: Susan's
What: a Dorothy Parker short story, essay, or poem of your choosing
When: TBD

We have some travel conflicts at the end of March, anyone for making it the first week of April? 

And Susan,  you OK with hosting still?

January 23 - The Rules of Civility

Nine of gathered at Karen's for an elegant evening to discuss The Rules of Civility. Karen made crackers (!) and served two delicious soups: squash and corn chowder and her experimental chick pea soup served with broccoli and fresh parsley. (The experiment was a complete success.) The meal was rounded out with Leann's lovely rolls and green salads from Heather and your faithful scribe.

Before dinner, we snacked on Mary Beth's beautiful appetizer plate featuring cheese, kiwi, and mango; and Susan provided healthy watercress sandwiches (whole wheat bread with the crusts on) and made a pizza with garlic jam and Gorgonzola cheese on the spot. For dessert we feasted on Becky's yummy shoe-fly pie and Lisa's terrific Madeleines. I think we did it up worthy of the wealthy of the 1930's, don't you ladies?

Everyone liked the book, and we had an interesting discussion about class and the place of women in the 1930's. College was not such a necessity then as it is these days, and working class people who were smart and well-read could more easily mix with the wealthy in a place like New York. Every character reinvented himself or herself to some extent. That Eve sure had Moxie!

Upcoming Meetings
I suggested we try just serving finger foods at the next in-home meeting, because we have such a nice time chatting over hors d'oeuvres. We seemed to have a quorum in agreement, so that's the plan.

We also have plans or parts of plans for the next three meetings. To wit:

February
Where: The Norwich Inn for a wine tasting benefit for the Norwich Public Library
When: Wednesday, February 27, time to follow
What: The Round House by Louise Erdrich
What else: tickets for the wine tasting are $15 each

March
Where: Susan's
What: a Dorothy Parker short story, essay, or poem of your choosing
When: TBD

April
Where: Leann's
What: TBD
When: TBD

December 7 - Wild

Nine of us gathered at Nancy's for our annual holiday meeting with Yankee Swap. Wonderful appetizers dominated the fare, and adventuresome alcohol drinks were also on offer (Karen's glögg and Susan's killer egg nogg). Dinner was soup (potato leek for most, although there was also borscht) and "Christmas salad" (greens and fruit) from Karen. And for dessert: Lisa's chocolate-chocolate-chip cupcakes. Mmmmmm!

The Yankee Swap was slightly more free-for-all than usual (not to mention the notorious fart machine), and many laughs were had.

Most everyone enjoyed Wild by Cheryl Strayed, although we did debate the author's dubious choices (including heroine use and heading out for a months-long hike without preparing physically for it or even breaking in her hiking boots). The worst part of the book for just about everyone was when she was nearly assaulted by a man on the trail.

Naturally we talked about a million other books as well. Heather particularly recommends Kept in the Dark by Peggy Hancock.

Next Meeting
Where: Karen's
When: Don't know. Some of us liked Friday and others of us didn't. How about Thursday January 17th or Thursday January 24th?
What: Again, don't know. Lisa and Darla suggested Rules of Civility by Amor Towles. Does that sound like a plan?

November 2 - The Walking Dead

Heather hosted eight of us for our discussion of the graphic novel The Walking Dead.  We welcomed a guest, Tamara, who thankfully did not run away screaming.

Heather made her delicious ravioli with yogurt sauce. Nancy B. regrettably could not join us but sent us a beat salad (beats = red = blood). We also had (bloody) sangria, "finger" hours d'oeuvres (little hot dogs wrapped in dough) by Susan, a nice green salad from Leann,  blood-red velvet cupcakes by Mary Beth, peanut butter & chocolate eyeballs thanks of yours truly. I know there was more, I'm sorry I can't remember what. You know who you are and what yummy and awful goodies you provided.

The official story of how we chose our book, according to Heather, was that Heather and Mary Beth were talking. Heather, having recently discovered graphic novels, said to Mary Beth that the group should read one. And to that, Mary Beth replied, "If we're reading a graphic novel, it has to The Walking Dead," because Mary Beth is a fan of the AMC show based on the graphic novel. It seemed the perfect idea given the timing. (Halloween, etc.) Hence, we read a graphic novel!

I think this was the first experience with a graphic novel for most of us, and the general consensus was that it took some getting used to and the characters were a bit two-dimensional. The group got to compare the book to the show when Heather cued up the first episode, during which people laughed even during some of the gruesome parts. But everyone seemed ti like it. 

NEXT MEETING
When: December 7 (Friday) was proposed; is that OK for everyone?
Where: Nancy's
What: Wild, by Cheryl Strayed, AND the annual Yankee Swap. NEW gift this year, please, $10 limit.

September 26 - Mayflower

Nine of us gathered at Darla's for our discussion of Mayflower and our sumptuous feast of soups provided by our hostess and seasonal treats contributed by the rest of us. In no particular order, we had: cheese soup, sauerkraut and sausage soup; popcorn and corn bread (with yummy cheese spread and apple butter); pumpkins beers and pumpkin pudding; apple cake and apple Brown Betty; the cutest little pilgrim hat cookies that can be Googled; and meade! (The drink, produced locally, and very good!)

Not everyone finished the book, although we all read at least part of it. The result was eye-opening, and we all were glad to learn some American history that is no doubt closer to the truth than what we were taught in school.

I believe a good time was had by all, and I thank everyone for putting up with the slideshow from my and Leann's recent trip.

NEXT MEETING

Where: Heather's

When: Friday, November 2

What: The Walking Dead book discussion and screening of the TV show based on the graphic novel

July 22 - Book show and tell at the pool

Seven of us were at Becky's for "the best book group pool party ever!" It was a gorgeous summer day, perfect for hanging out at the pool. We had lots of good stuff to eat, naturally: Karen's ingeniously presented fruit salad (a bowl within a bowl with ice in between), Leann fabulous rice and been salad (recipe, please!), lovely pesto crostini and smores makings supplied by our hostess, Darla's Mexican bean dip & chips, Lisa's coconut creme pie and Napoleons from King Arthur (she did a great job just getting to us, having just returned from a camping trip). Heather and I supplied healthful (well, not so much) munchies, and most all of us enjoyed the "water" to drink.

So many books were discussed and exchanged I cannot possibly do them justice. All I can say is, we've been reading!

What's Next
We completely neglected to talk logistics, so there is nothing planned at the moment. What do you think? An August meeting? Wait til September? Pick a book? Do another show-and-tell? If we wait until September, it'll have to be later in the month for me.

June 12 - Bossypants

Seven of us gathered at Nancy B's on a rainy evening for our discussion of Bossypants by Tina Fey. We were blessed with many salads, perfect for a warm evening: Nancy B's chicken salad was delicious, as were Karen's pasta salad, Lisa's salad with homemade croutons, a delicious green salad contributed by someone (was it Heather?) ... For dessert, Becky made a delicious rhubarb something and Darla made yummy chocolate chip cookies.  It's a good thing I had to foresight to simply buy some chips and hummus, or we would have been completely feted with wonderful homemade foodstuffs.

Why can't I remember all the details? It could has something to do with the limoncello Lisa brought in honor of Liz Lemon. Man was that good.

I do recall talking about everything and anything, including the book, which almost everyone liked. Interestingly, different people connected with different chapters.

The highlight of the night was the gifting of Becky with the Book Soup Book Group Book Quilt:

Thanks to Karen, who did all the heavy lifting of putting the quilt together.

Next Meeting
Where: Becky's pool
When: July 22, 3 pm
What: Either book show and tell or the winner of Karen's poll

May 15 - The Shack

We had a full house for our discussion of The Shack at Lisa's. Ten of us oohed and ahed over her kitchen renovation and crammed around her table to partake of the FABULOUS food: Karen's "wackitizers" (cucumber rounds topped with cheese; skewers with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and basil leaves), Susan's tomato/lentil spread and homemade cheese crackers to die for, Mary Beth's spinach and strawberry salad, Lisa's delicious soups (vegetarian Mexican and turkey barley). And the desserts! OMG. Becky made chocolate spice sugar cookies, Darla brought 5 flavors of Ben and Jerry's ice cream, and Nancy Bates won the night with her amazing key lime pie. I am surely missing something. Please forgive me; I  have not yet recovered from my sugar coma.

We discussed a bunch of books and their authors (ahem, Darla). Karen was taking notes, so I am depending on her to let us know what these were. We had quite a lively discussion of The Shack, no doubt because no one liked it (even though we all finished it). We could see what the author was trying to do (Sunday school for adults) but they way he did it just made us cringe at times.

Our next book was supposed to be Elie Wiesel's Night, which nearly half of us had already read in prepration, but there was a decided movement that we should read something fun instead. So...

Next Meeting
Where: Nancy B's
When: June 12
What: Bossypants by Tina Fey

April 17: The Hunger Games

Six of us met at Leann's to discuss The Hunger Games. I'm pleased to report no one left hungry, and the odds were ever in our favor.

I'm afraid my report must be abbreviated, because I arrived late, and I had already had some dinner. I partook in the lovely green salad (spinach, perhaps?). I believe there was soup, bread, and pasta salad as well. What did not escape my notice was dessert: Lisa made dessert kabobs with angel food cake and fruit. Yummy, visually interesting, and healthy. I couldn't let that stand and brought some cupcakes to share.

They told me they had talked about the book before I got there, and I guess I believe them. We talked some more, and it was as I had guessed - everyone liked the book. We talked mostly about the differences between the book and the movie and succeeded in convincing Darla and Lisa, the only attendees who had not seen it already, that they should.

As we were parting, we realized we had not discussed our next meeting. So here's what we've got from our original schedule:

Next Meeting
Where: ?
When: May 8
What: The Shack by William Paul Young

March 13 - Our Kind of Traitor

Karen hosted 8 of us for our discussion of Out Kind of Traitor by John LeCarre. There were many dishes inspired by the English/Russian characters of the book: Stilton cheeses, pea soup and borscht, "Russian" black bread, trifle. The salad, carrot cake, and coconut pie were also well-appreciated! The champagne was not, only because we never got to it; Newcastle brown ale and copious wine did the trick.

So the food was, as usual, fabulous; the book, alas, was not. It was uniformly disliked! A thriller with no thrills and characters that left us without sympathy for or interest in them. Oh well! It seems most all of us slogged through it to the end.

We discussed at some length our choice for our next meeting: The Count of Monte Cristo. While most of us are interested in pursuing the classics, a book that is over 800 pages abridged gave us pause. Let's face it, it's just not realistic. So we started tossing out other books (as well as discussing the reading of the classics themselves). At some point we diverged and started talking about the Hunger Games movie that is coming out, how we should see it as a group but not everyone had read it, and voila! A solution that most sounded interested in: let's read The Hunger Games for April!  It may not be a classic, but sure is a cultural phenomenon. And afterward we can go see the movie.

Next Meeting
Where: Leann's
When: April 10
What: The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins

February 21 - In Other Rooms, Other Wonders

Mary Beth hosted a group of nine of us for February meeting to discuss Daniyal Mueenuddin's collection of short stories, In Other Rooms, Other Wonders. Happily, Becky was able to join us. Yay, Becky!

Mary Beth made wonderful stuffed shells (let's hear it for home ec, the source of the recipe!). Nancy B. brought a gorgeous green salad and Lisa made a middle-eastern-inspired orzo salad. Leann's homemade bread rounded out dinner, and we had three sources of dessert: Karen's middle-eastern selection, Darla's cupcakes, and cookies baked by my dear husband. I'm afraid I lost track of the drinks and appetizers and perhaps more, so please forgive me any lacunae.

We had a lively discussion of the book, no doubt because everyone found something lacking in it! (Seems books we dislike generate much more discussion than those we do.) The depiction of life in Pakistan was not a positive one, particularly in the way poor women are treated, so it was a hard read. Heather spent three years in Pakistan as a kid, so she was able to give us a more positive perspective on life there, thank goodness. Also, Karen had gone to hear the author speak at Dartmouth (he's an alum), and she was able to tell us more about him and what he's writing now.

Thanks, Mary Beth, for hosting a fun evening!

Next Meeting
Where: Karen's
When: March 13
What: Our Kind of Traitor by John LeCarre

January 10 - A Discovery of Witches

Seven of us gathered at Susan's beautiful home for yummy soups, book talk, and ... kittens! We got to meet Susan's two pint-sized prowlers, who added an extra touch of magic to the evening.

Susan's soups were great. Owing to the fact that I am a bear of little brain and several days have passed, all I can recall is that vegetarian one was a curry soup (which I had and it was fabulous) and the non-veggie soup had kale in it (I hear lots of "mmmm" coming from the folks who had it). I also know we had great appetizers, a delicious home-made couscous salad, and two types of cake for dessert. What's not to like?

The book, for one, although I believe the group was 50-50 on liking vs. not liking so much. It was definitely long ("wordy" was mentioned), having seemingly fallen victim to the state of editing in book publishing these days (i.e., there's not enough of it). Those of us who liked it are really looking forward to book 2 in the trilogy, the rest are off the hook.

There were many other topics and books discussed, including Susan's musing out loud about needing to think of a dance routine to contribute to an upcoming family wedding. Truly a fun evening, thanks Susan!

Next Meeting
Where: Becky's
When: January 14
What: In Other Rooms, Other Wonders by Daniyal Mueenuddin

December 13 - The Coffins of Little Hope

Eight of us gathered at my place for cauliflower soup, chocolate chili, white elephant Yankee swap, and oh yes, to talk about a book!

The company was wonderful, the contributions of appetizers and desserts fabulous. The book, well, let's just say you can't win them all; there was little love for The Coffins of Little Hope.

I believe our Yankee swap was a success. People in this group have very nice white elephants hanging around their houses! There was some envy and swapping, I'm happy to report, although no one took the bow and arrow set I opened. Hmm.

Next Meeting
Where: Susan graciously offered to host
When: January 10
What: A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Happy holidays and best wishes for the new year!

November 8 - The Little Friend

Six of us gathered as Lisa's to discuss The Little Friend by Donna Tartt. There were deviled eggs, two wonderful soups, warm biscuits, blueberry pie... Absolutely delicious, one and all. We had a good and wide-ranging discussion of the book and it's southern-ness, with a general agreement that it was quite good and proved the adage "you can't judge a book by its cover" (or it's title either, in this case).

Next month - Yankee Swap!! We thought a white elephant Yankee Swap might be just the thing this year. So bring something you already own wrapped and ready to swap.

When: December 13
Where: Nancy's
What: The Coffins of Little Hope by Timothy Schaffert

October 18 - The Picture of Dorian Gray

Seven of us gathered at Darla's for our rescheduled discussion of Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray. We were greeted at the table by a parade of little reading rubber duckies, favors Lisa found. Thanks, Lisa!

Darla served her famous potato cheese soup and also a new and delicious creation, creamy tortellini soup. (She even provided those attending with copies of the recipes; above and beyond!) The table was rounded out with a lovely fall veggie casserole by Lisa and an antipasto salad by Karen. Dessert was a virtual cornucopia of treats — Susan's apple crisp and vanilla ice cream, Leaan's Boston cream pie, and Becky's fruit were topped off by some great maple cookies that Darla and Lisa baked before the rest of us arrived.

Although we occasionally got distracted, we did discuss the book quite a bit. Susan knew the most about Oscar Wilde and filled us in on the place of the novel, his only one, in his work and life. I, for one, did not know the book had eventually landed him and jail and contributed to his death. Pretty amazing. Oh, and we all hated the character of Lord Henry.

Lisa offered to host our next meeting, which is November 8, to discuss The Little Friend by Donna Tartt. See you then!

September 14

We had a large and lively group at Nancy's for our post-summer-vacation meeting. Folks brought lots of delicious appetizers, beverages, and desserts to augment the spinach lasagna. Thanks, everyone!

After a bit of discussion, we actually were able to choose a regular meeting time and books to read until next summer. Way to go, guys!

Our regular meeting time will be the 2nd Tuesday of the month.

Below is a list of dates and books.(Please, if I got something wrong, do let me know. My scribble was hard to read. Also, if we'd like to rearrange some, we can do that.) Darla offered to host for October. All we'll need to decide as we go along is who will host next!

Schedule

October 11: The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde at Darla's

November 8: The Little Friend by Donna Tartt

December 13: The Coffins of Little Hope by Timothy Schaffert

January 10: A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

February 14: In Other Rooms, Other Wonders by Daniyal  Mueenuddin

March 13: Our Kind of Traitor by John LeCarre

April 10: The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

May 8: The Shack by William Paul Young

June 12: Night by Elie Wiesel

And suggested summer reading: The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

June 27 - Half-Broke Horses

We had a very small gathering at Karen's to discuss Jeanette Walls' Half-Broke Horses. It was salad night: Heather brought a fresh green salad right from her garden, Leann brought a pasta salad, and Karen had a tortalini salad for us, as well as a fabulous fruit tart for dessert. (I managed to drag some brie along, to double up on what Karen already had.)

Everyone seemed to really like the book (that includes folks who read it but didn't make the meeting). We spent a lot of time trying to remember Walls' earlier book, The Glass Castle, and connecting the two, since Half-Broke Horses is a fictionalized memoir of her maternal grandmother. What a remarkable character Lily Casey was!

Next Meeting

• When and Where: There is no next meeting set. We plan take the summer off and reconnoiter in September. In August, I will send out a message to set up a date and place. 
• What: Come prepared to present a book to the group you think we should read. We think it's a good idea to pick books for the next six meetings or so.
• ALSO: How about picking a regular day each month to meet (like the third Tuesday, for instance)? That way people can plan ahead.