Lovely Readers

Ladies Ladies Ladies

What a great meeting last night–with great attendance!  A very special thank you Joanna for hosting.  Ms Jojo out did herself with delicious food (I am dreaming of the artichokes still) and set up a great space for us to discuss.  Un grand merci! We all appreciated the lovely evening you hosted, enabling us some time to catch up and discuss this month’s read.
 
A very special warm welcome to our newest members–Samantha and Michelle.  I can already tell that you two are going to be great new additions to this little club of ours. Welcome!
 

Lullabies for Little Criminals by Heather O'neill

Last night was a lively discussion.  Clearly a divided group, we all had a lot to say.  I think we all agree that the language Heather O’Neil uses is lovely.  Her images are brilliant and quotable–cupcakes and orange slices! The subject matter, a little tough.  A 12 year old prostitute and heroine addiction are never easy or pleasant subjects, but the novel definitely brought us for a ride down the rabbit hole, and we all got to walk around the gritty under belly of Montreal. Some us wanted out sooner rather than later. 
 
Our next read is Saving Fish From Drowning by Amy Tan.  The meeting date as been set for Tuesday December 16.  Location–TBA.
 
Also, don’t forget to start asking around for great books and high recommendations.  I have a list that is growing of some exciting and fantastic reads.  If you have any requests, please send them to me.  I will include them on the master list.  At our AGM, I will print off some copies and we can all go through the list together, creating our 09 reading list. Don’t worry, I will send the list in advance so everyone can have a look (or not) before we get down to choosing.
 
Happy page turning ladies.
Hope to see each and everyone of you at the next meeting!

xo^..^xo

Debrief and AGM

What a successful meeting/AGM we had! Thank you to Jenny C for hosting such a great meeting. Turnout was fantastic, the discussion was riveting, our 09 reading list exciting!

Loving Frank by Nancy Horan

Loving Frank was met with mixed reviews. The book got thumbs up from everyone except Sam and Michelle. The topics of discussion included motherhood, women’s rights, character development, divorce, infidelity, and travel. These topics engaged us in discussions that all good books should. I don’t think any of us could get over the ending – if the story was fiction we would have thought it to be a very odd choice. Being factual made it that much more disturbing. Many of us were quick to do our own research to ensure that artistic liberties weren’t taken (remember saving fish?). While some members appreciated the page turning element of the book, others felt like it needed a good edit. The meeting was definitely a success and Jenny C served a fancy spread of sushi, cheese and treats. Perhaps the physical set up of the meeting – all sitting around the dining room table helped keep us on track. Thanks again to Jenny for hosting and thanks to everyone else for being there and sharing such great insight.

The 2^nd part oft the meeting was going through the list of proposed novels for the next year. It is great to have the list established early so we don’t have to waste our meeting and catch up time arguing about what to read next. We have a really exciting 2009 reading list compiled.

Please see the attached list as reference for your book shopping (free delivery at chapters if you spend over $38)

The fist book off the 2009 list that we are going to read is The Book of Negroes followed by Water for Elephants and then, To Kill a Mocking Bird.

In terms of dates for the next meeting, why don’t we all weigh in on a few dates?

Tuesday February 24

Tuesday March 3

Tuesday March 10

I am going off the idea that Tuesdays work. If Mondays or Wednesday s are better, let us know!

Thanks again to Jenny C for hosting such a great meeting. Thanks to the other members for bringing such great insight and sharing your thoughts on this book.

Happy Reading and hope to see everyone at the next meeting and at AGMs for years to come.

Xox^..^xoX

What a great meeting we had!  Thumbs up all around, great discussion and Temp was over the top with the food.  It seems that the days of olives and nuts are behind us.  Tempis had delicious cheese and made dinner for everyone.  Despite her twin baby boys, she clearly couldn’t be busy at all…Great hosting!  Thanks for having us!
 
Kerry, Sam, AMT, Tempis, JoJo and myself were all able to attend.  One of the hot topics we discussed at length was the opening.  ALL of were duped and felt compelled to read the opening again.  The discussion moved around the circus society, the interesting use of various literary device including a non-linear plot, the problematic relationships and Rosie’s antics.
 

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

It was interesting to note how many of the details were inspired by actual events such as Rosie only understanding Polish commands, the lit cigarette being tossed in Rosie’s mouth and Camel’s Jake leg paralysis.  Also, it is interesting to note how many of us felt that August deserved what he got. Most of us were rooting for Marlena to do it already.
 
The images in the novel were all so clear and so vivid.  You could smell the popcorn and hay.  A crowd favorite was Rosie taking off a spectator’s hat and posing for the crowds. Who didn’t love the description of her glamorous eyelashes and want an elephant of their very own (ok–that was me)? We all appreciated how enough detail was given to upset and concern us about the circus and August’s atrocities, but it wasn’t gratuitous in over indulgent with the description of violence.. 
 
AMT–great choice.
 
And now on to group updates.  For those of you who weren’t able to attend, we want to say Mazeltof to Joanna who is expecting baby #2 in September. 
 
The next book on our list is The Book of Negroes.  Please weigh in on your meeting date preference and availability. 
 
April 6
April 7
April 13
April 14
 
Happy reading lovely readers.   I look forward to another great meeting and more insightful discussions.
 
xox^..^xoxo

Hello hello lovely readers

I hope this email finds you all well. My apologies for the delay and not getting this sent out sooner. The girls gone wild Miami edition bachelorette weekend, a work/Alaska explosion and now a serious count down for the wedding all were contributing factors. Anyhow, here it is!

The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill

Our Book of Negroes meeting and discussion, hosted by Sam was fantastic. Excellent turnout, riveting discussion and delicious fare (AND passover friendly). A big thank you to Sam for being such a fantastic host. Everyone felt right at home.

The discussion bounced around–which is the sign of a good read. Thumbs up all around to start–which is great. Everyone was very aware how far the world has come in a relatively short period of time. Within the span of 200 years, the West has moved from slavery to a black president.

We all agreed that Meena was indeed a very memorable protagonist. Sarah Locke and myself found some of the novel to be a bit sentimental (especially compared to other slave narratives) but concurred that it was thought provoking and a page turner. An interesting point of discussion is the fact that in the US, the book has been publiched under a different title (Someone knows my Name) and the implications of that title change. Also, the novel served as a reminder that Canada was as complicit in its behaviour toward blacks. As Canadians we often we view ourselves as the friendly True North Strong and Free, but the reality was not much better in Canada than in the US in terms of our racism and bigotry.

Now there has been a wee bit of confusion on the next book choices (blame me). Our next read is Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mocking Bird and following that read, Jannis Cooke Newman’s Mary. We will have a nice thematic 3 book trend, examining slavery, race relations and injustice in the deep South and Emancipation.
Sorry for the mix up in order.
Anyhow, How does Tuesday May 26 sound? the meeting will be at Kerry’s new house. We will send out details and instructions shortly.
Happy page turning everyone.
xox^..^xox
Happy book club updates—JoJo is having a girl! I will be married by the next meeting!