November/December 2012 - A Winter Dream

Our Book Club met on November 30 at the Alexander House to discuss "A Winter Dream" by Richard Paul Evans, combined with our annual holiday social.  The average ratings for the book were in the 4-6 range.  The group agreed that it was quick and easy to read and enjoyed by most, but some commented that it was unbelievable in parts and also a little predictable.  In the interest of full disclosure, there wasn't a lot of time spent in discussion after rating the book.  Instead, our conversations turned to family updates, other books, movies, the weather (of course) and generally just enjoying the warmth of friendships, good laughter and a nice meal.  We also had the opportunity to welcome a new member to the group as Rochelle Kovarik joined us for the first time.  Welcome Shelly!

The book club selection for January is "Call the Midwife" by Jennifer Worth.  The location and date are to be determined.

Wishing all my book clubs friends a Blessed Holiday Season.  There are many more good books to read in 2013!

October 2012 - Buddha in the Attic

About half of the group gathered on this chilly October evening at Geri's home.  The topic of our discussion was The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka.  Most of the ratings were in the range of 5-7.  Most all of the group was interested in the topic, but some were challenged by the author's choice to tell the book from the point of view of a large group of women. 

A book description from Amazon.com is as follows:

A gorgeous novel by the celebrated author of When the Emperor Was Divine that tells the story of a group of young women brought from Japan to San Francisco as “picture brides” nearly a century ago. In eight unforgettable sections, The Buddha in the Attic traces the extraordinary lives of these women, from their arduous journeys by boat, to their arrival in San Francisco and their tremulous first nights as new wives; from their experiences raising children who would later reject their culture and language, to the deracinating arrival of war. Once again, Julie Otsuka has written a spellbinding novel about identity and loyalty, and what it means to be an American in uncertain times.

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It was interesting to see that these women had many varying experiences, but made it harder to grasp on to the emotional connection of a single character.  The group was saddened by the plights of most of these women and the way they were treated by their husbands and Americans.  As usual, the discussion questions were a springboard for other interesting topics and discussion.  It was an enjoyable evening of good discussion.  Thank you Geri!

We made some plans for future books and discussed having a get-together around the holidays.  See the sidebar for upcoming books and future announcements for details on a Christmas social.

September 2012 - Gone Girl

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn was the assigned read for September 2012.  A small group gathered at Marsha Johnson's home to discuss the book, which Amazon.com describes as:

Marriage can be a real killer.
One of the most critically acclaimed suspense writers of our time, New York Times bestseller Gillian Flynn takes that statement to its darkest place in this unputdownable masterpiece about a marriage gone terribly, terribly wrong. The Chicago Tribune proclaimed that her work “draws you in and keeps you reading with the force of a pure but nasty addiction.” Gone Girl’s toxic mix of sharp-edged wit and deliciously chilling prose creates a nerve-fraying thriller that confounds you at every turn.
On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy Dunne’s fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick’s clever and beautiful wife disappears from their rented McMansion on the Mississippi River. Husband-of-the-Year Nick isn’t doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams about the slope and shape of his wife’s head, but passages from Amy's diary reveal the alpha-girl perfectionist could have put anyone dangerously on edge. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media—as well as Amy’s fiercely doting parents—the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he’s definitely bitter—but is he really a killer?
As the cops close in, every couple in town is soon wondering how well they know the one that they love. With his twin sister, Margo, at his side, Nick stands by his innocence. Trouble is, if Nick didn’t do it, where is that beautiful wife? And what was in that silvery gift box hidden in the back of her bedroom closet?
With her razor-sharp writing and trademark psychological insight, Gillian Flynn delivers a fast-paced, devilishly dark, and ingeniously plotted thriller that confirms her status as one of the hottest writers around.

Those members present rated the book between a 4 and a 6.  The discussion about the book was interesting, with not much sympathy felt for either of the lead characters.  The author's use of both character's narrating the story every other chapter added to the suspense of the story.

After discussions, the group enjoyed Marsha's talented work in a tasty cake with raspberry topping.

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August 2012 - The Tiger's Wife

In August, our club read The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht.  The group had mixed opinions about this selection, with a majority of the members falling short on their appraisal due to the questions left unanswered throughout the novel.

 

A little bit about the book:

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. The sometimes crushing power of myth, story, and memory is explored in the brilliant debut of Obreht, the youngest of the New Yorker's 20-under-40. Natalia Stefanovi, a doctor living (and, in between suspensions, practicing) in an unnamed country that's a ringer for Obreht's native Croatia, crosses the border in search of answers about the death of her beloved grandfather, who raised her on tales from the village he grew up in, and where, following German bombardment in 1941, a tiger escaped from the zoo in a nearby city and befriended a mysterious deaf-mute woman. The evolving story of the tiger's wife, as the deaf-mute becomes known, forms one of three strands that sustain the novel, the other two being Natalia's efforts to care for orphans and a wayward family who, to lift a curse, are searching for the bones of a long-dead relative; and several of her grandfather's stories about Gavran Gailé, the deathless man, whose appearances coincide with catastrophe and who may hold the key to all the stories that ensnare Natalia. Obreht is an expert at depicting history through aftermath, people through the love they inspire, and place through the stories that endure; the reflected world she creates is both immediately recognizable and a legend in its own right. Obreht is talented far beyond her years, and her unsentimental faith in language, dream, and memory is a pleasure. (Mar.)

 

As usual, we had an enjoyable evening discussing the book at Vicki's home, even if it wasn't a "must read" book selection for everyone.  That is the joy of book club....you don't have to enjoy the book to enjoy the company and conversation!



July 2012 - A Town Like Alice

Discussion for the July book club selection was held with a smaller group at the Alexander House on July 30th.  We enjoyed whiskey steaks and salad bar as we discussed this classic title by Nevil Shute.  Overall, the group enjoyed the book.  Ratings for the book mostly ranged between 7 and 8.  Surprisingly, the one who had read the book before and had recommended it had the lowest rating. 

Amazon.com's quick synopsis of the book reads: 

A TOWN LIKE ALICE tells of a young woman who miraculously survived a Japanese "death march" in World War II, and of an Australian soldier, also a prisoner of war, who offered to help her--even at the cost of his life....

Members discussed the likable characters in Jean, Joe and Noel.  We talked about the similarities between Jean and some of the other ordinary people who rise above difficult situations to bring out the best for them and others. 

The only criticisms expressed about the book was the plausibility of some of the circumstances, particularly with Jean in Australia. 

In general, the group agreed that it was a nice novel featuring likeable characters, ordinary people rising to extraordinary challenges, the humanity of people even during the ugliness of war and a good old fashioned romance.

Several new books were chosen, including The Tiger's Wife for August.  Vicki is hoping to host the group later in August.  Additional details to follow.

June 2012 - Stargirl

The discussion for June book club revolved around the book Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli.  Amazon.com describes the book:
From the day she arrives at quiet Mica High in a burst of color and sound, the hallways hum with the murmur of “Stargirl, Stargirl.” She captures Leo Borlock’s heart with just one smile. She sparks a school-spirit revolution with just one cheer. The students of Mica High are enchanted. At first.

Then they turn on her. Stargirl is suddenly shunned for everything that makes her different, and Leo, panicked and desperate with love, urges her to become the very thing that can destroy her: normal. In this celebration of nonconformity, Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli weaves a tense, emotional tale about the perils of popularity and the thrill and inspiration of first love.
Stargirl was written for the Young Adult reader, but was enjoyed by the "older than young" adult members of our group.  Those who were in attendance on this Tuesday night at Jacqi's "summer home" rated the book from a 6 to an 8.  Even though the book was short, we had plenty to discuss as we identified with different characters in the book and challenged ourselves with questions about how the high school versions of our selves would have reacted if Stargirl moved in to our school. 

The fun evening was topped off with a cool and delicious strawberry pretzel dessert.

Plans were made to meet again on Monday, July 30th at 6:30 pm at the Alexander House.  Our book for July is A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute.

May 2012 - Biography Month

This month we had an assignment.  Each member was to read a biography or autobiography.  If  you so choose, you could hold the group in suspense and have them guess who the subject of the book was.  The discussion was held on May 17th at the home of Jean Field.  Since this member did not attend, I can't comment on the meeting, but I'm certain it was a fun evening of sharing different and interesting biographies.  Here are a few of the books that were read and comments by the reader.

Geri read Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet,Spy by Eric Metaxas. 
Geri's comments: It’s hard to rate. I learned an enormous amount about theology and history, and I was profoundly impacted by the witness of this man. I listened to the audio version, which was 21 hours long. So, as far as the rating, some parts seemed slow (7?), but I always wanted to keep reading to know his story, which is a 10. He was one of the most famous theologians and martyrs in history. He was also an author, pastor, and musician. I admired all those things about him and also the value he put on relationships with others. He was extremely close to his family, and the book shared many letters he had sent and received to them, friends, and also his fiancé. He also maintained close friendships with several people he taught and mentored. He didn’t believe in “cheap grace,” but in grace that takes over ALL of a Christian’s life and requires a believer to sacrifice everything. As a reader, I was able to understand the difficult decisions he faced regarding ethical questions that are not exactly black and white. Eventually, he was executed (hanged) in a concentration camp for his role in attempting to rescue Jews and his involvement in attempts to assassinate Hitler. This was his final message to a friend in England: “This is the end, for me the beginning of life.” An SS doctor who witnessed his death later recalled a man “devout…brave and composed… I have hardly ever seen a man die so entirely submissive to the will of God.” This is the kind of book that I want to CHANGE me, but unfortunately, I sink back into my old habits too easily. I can’t say enough, though, about how much I think I desire to emulate someone like him. Thinking won’t just make it happen, though, will it?



Dena chose " No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt: the home front in World War II" Author: Doris Kearns Goodwin
Dena's thoughts on her choice: Don't let the size of the book put you off. It was a very good read. I ranked it an 8. There were times you needed to wade through historical data (ex. how many airplanes were built in a year, etc.) but these details added to the readers understanding of the influence of the war on the American culture. The book analyzed how emotional events in both FDR and Eleanor's lives formed them into who they were, insight into their personal relationship, and while acknowledging their successes/contributions it also shed light on their faults. Eleanor could easily be described as one of the most influential women in US history who at times was as much hated as she was revered. She worked without tire for equality between races and improvement of social conditions. Her life during the presidency was lived often outside of the White House on the road promoting social change. One wonders if she may have poured her energy into these causes at the same level if her marriage had not suffered from her knowledge of FDR's affair. FDR and Eleanor seemed to be very fond of each other but the love they started their marriage with appeared to have been destroyed by his affair. They seemed to have much more of a polititical partnership.
The book also looked at the political landscape of the 40's. The delay in America entering WW II, the Japanese internment in the US, and the failure to intervene in Hitler's persecution of the Jewish people were among the issues the book sought to make sense of from FDR's standpoint. I found this review by Garret Wilson to provide a good description of the "feel" of the book: "one feels as if one is actually living in the White House along with Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt, Missy, Fala (Roosevelt’s dog), and all the other interesting characters who come along, including Winston Churchill and various other dignitaries. From the book’s opening pages describing Roosevelt’s methods for falling asleep, it’s almost as if you’re there. You share the secret letters between lovers, to likes and dislikes between characters, the loves and hatreds of everyone around you. You’ll become intimately knowledgeable of a certain man and his family that in many ways brought about modern America and guided the formation of the modern world" .
 
The book Jean read was The Other Side of Suffering by John Ramsey.
Jean's thoughts:  It was a sad story and often hard for me to read as it not only dealt with losing Jon Benet but also losing his older daughter from his previous marriage 2 years before JB. John and Patsy's faith remained strong after JB's death but they had the media follow them everywhere making their life difficult . Then after losing all their money and holdings through this period Patsy died 10 years later and then 2 years after that they were cleared of all wrong doings. John Ramsey compared himself to Job and throughout the book he quoted numerous scripture readings. Now he does Christian volunteer work with India's poor.

Debby wasn't able to make it because of a school concert, but sent these comments about a current biography and one on her wish list:I am reading "Unbroken: A World War 2 Story of Survival". I started reading a biography of Benjamin Franklin, but it was BORING. So, a friend lent me her Kindle to read Bonhoeffer. But I started on the wrong one and got hooked. The main character is a gunner on a bomber plane in the
Pacific. I know he survives but right now he has been in a raft for 10 days without food. I am 25% finished, but I am enjoying it. To be honest, summer is when I do most of my reading. On teaching days I fall asleep as I read and progress is slow. My physical therapist husband tells me that
is why my neck is so sore. :)  A book I would like to read is "My Happy Hollywood Days" by Garry Marshall. I heard him interviewed on PBS and was intrigued.

April 2012 - DEFENDING JACOB

A fast, compelling, and compulsively readable courtroom drama, Defending Jacob tells the story of a district attorney’s son who is accused of killing a classmate. As the father attempts to prove his son’s innocence, Landay explores uncomfortable territory: can a tendency toward violence be inherited? Is the capacity for murder a genetic disposition? The author, a former district attorney, gets the taut nuances just right, capturing the subtleties of a trial in a packed courtroom, where a small rustle or murmur can signify a lot. In the end Landay pulls off a clever plot device that doesn’t reveal itself until the final pages. --Neal Thompson

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The Turning Leaves Book Club met at Marcia’s on April 29.  Most members were present and the book Defending Jacob received ratings of 6-7, with one 4.  Marcia did a great job coming up with questions to get the discussion of the book moving, and of course also served a fabulous dessert.  Some of the highlights of the conversation included the following:

·         Most readers related to the character of the mother and her concerns regarding her son; however, many could also understand the father’s refusal to recognize the possibility of his son as a murderer as well as his denial of his past.

·         The possibility of a genetic predisposition toward murder, violence, and many other “evils” was discussed at length.  If this is indeed true, can these types of tendencies be overcome?  Also, how responsible is a person for behaviors that are “caused” by his/her DNA?  One member stated there is a gene for everything, but not one to fit her butt.  J

·         Opinions varied on whether or not it is acceptable for a spouse to keep a secret from his/her past. 

·         There was also a lot of discrepancy in thought regarding the mother’s final decision in dealing with her son’s problem.  Some felt she was courageous, while others stated they could never do such a thing.

Dena is going to set up our May meeting at the Alexander House.  Each member is reading a memoir/biography/autobiography for this get together. 

Thanks to Geri for putting our blog post together this month!

March 2012 - LEFT NEGLECTED



The Turning Leaves Book Club met in March 2012 at the home of Geri Beckman to discuss the book Left Neglected by Lisa Genova. 

Amazon.com describes the book as follows:
Sarah Nickerson, like any other working mom, is busy trying to have it all. One morning while racing to work and distracted by her cell phone, she looks away from the road for one second too long. In that blink of an eye, all the rapidly moving parts of her over-scheduled life come to a screeching halt. After a brain injury steals her awareness of everything on her left side, Sarah must retrain her mind to perceive the world as a whole. In so doing, she also learns how to pay attention to the people and parts of her life that matter most.

Generally, the group had favorable ratings for the book, most ranging from a 6 to an 8. We were all intrigued by the medical condition that was the center of the book. Most of the criticism for the book revolved around the underdevelopment of the characters and the relationships in the book. The subject matter of the book led to some interesting discussion and a mix of opinions, especially as it related to working mothers and the effect that this can have on our family and ourselves.  At the end of the night we were all still good friends and enjoyed a tasty juneberry pie topped with ice cream.

We also welcomed a new member, Debby Karas, to our group.  We are glad to have her in our group. 

We send "get well soon" wishes to Tracy, one of our dear members who is dealing with some health problems.  We are looking forward to her feeling better and joining us for book club again soon.

Our next book is Defending Jacob by William Landay.  Marcia Rost will be hosting the group at her home on April 19th.

February 2012: ORDINARY PEOPLE

Five members braved one of our few snowy, icy evenings this winter to discuss Ordinary People at Vicki's. Before webegan the book discussion, we shared some possibilites for our next meetings. In March, we will read Left Neglected; April, Defending Jacob, and we are trying something new for the month of May. Each member is to read a biography/autobiography/memoir of her own choice. To begin the meeting, hints will be given by each reader, and the rest of the group will attempt to determine who the reader is describing. Should be fun! Geri will either host the March meeting or set up a date for us to get together at the Alexander House.

Ordinary People was published in 1976 and released as a movie, which won four Academy Awards including Best Picture in 1980. According to Amazon, " The Jarrets are a typical American family. Calvin is a determined, successful provider and Beth an organized, efficient wife. They had two sons, Conrad and Buck, but now they have one. In this memorable novel, Judith Guest takes the reader into their lives to share their misunderstandings, pain...and ultimate healing." The chapters alternate between the stories of Calvin and Conrad. The conflict in Conrad's story is built around how and if he can recover from his suicide attempt. Conrad's conflict is concerned mostly with his relationship with Beth. July Lind's comment on Amazon is worth reflecting on: "One reads this book and comes away realizing that strength and weakness are not always what they appear to be. Sometimes the weaker are the stronger after all."

The book generally received very positive ratings from the club, as members rated it from 7-9. Some had seen the movie and had different opinions about it, however. We all appreciated the character of Dr. Berger. In general, the feeling was that the characters were quite authentic, and they "came alive" quickly. They were all working through pain and grief separately. We felt the depiction of Conrad's depression seemed very realisitic, although the ways of treating depression and the stigma attached to it are not the same as they were in the '70s. There was little, if any, sympathy for Beth, although many of us wanted an explanation for her cold, perfectionist personality.

Vicki had prepared lovely desserts - chocolate macaroon and almond mini-bundt cakes, which were delicious as well as beautiful! She also was generous enough to offer the use of the pans to anyone! Thanks, Vicki!

January 2012 - These Is My Words: The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine

Mary Weltz welcomed a small group of us into her warm home on January 19th evening to discuss These is My Words: The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine.  The ratings for this month's book ranged from the 5/6 range all the way up to a 10 by Jean, who loved it!  Most everyone agreed that the first half of the book was very engaging but there was a little bit of criticism about how plausable the story was as the incidents and hardships continued one upon another.

An excerpt from the Publisher's Weekly description of the book:  Based on the real-life exploits of the author's great-grandmother, this fictionalized diary vividly details one woman's struggles with life and love in frontier Arizona at the end of the last century. When she begins recording her life, Sarah Prine is an intelligent, headstrong 18-year-old capable of holding her own on her family's settlement near Tucson. Her skill with a rifle fends off a constant barrage of Indian attacks and outlaw assaults. It also attracts a handsome Army captain named Jack Elliot. By the time she's 21, Sarah has recorded her loveless marriage to a family friend, the establishment of a profitable ranch, the birth of her first child and the death of her husband. The love between Jack and Sarah, which dominates the rest of the tale, has begun to blossom. Fragmented and disjointed in its early chapters, with poor spelling and grammar, Sarah's journal gradually gains in clarity and eloquence as she matures.

After book discussion, we were treated to a lovely mandarin orange and Ritz cracker dessert which Sheldon made and Mary served along with her traditional and exceptional almond cake and other goodies.  It was all absolutely delicious.   Also, Dena was so kind to share a bottle of Paradise Ridge Sauvignon Blanc that she found on her trip to Sonoma.  Thank you Dena!

Our book for next month is Ordinary People by Judith Guest.  This is the last book on our current "to read" list, so please consider bringing a recommendation or two to the next meeting.  Vicki will be our host for February.

Thank you to Mary for a nice evening together.