Hi Bookworms!
I just wanted to send out a reminder that book club is scheduled to meet in one week! Here are the details:
When: Tuesday May 1 @7pm
Where: Rhonda's Casa
What we are reading: Rules of Civility by Amor Towles
I haven't read the book and I don't think that I will manage to get to it by next week, but I'm still going to make it and I think that you should too! It is always a ton of fun!
See you then!
Heather
Monday, April 23, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Book Club Recap 3/26/12
Attendees: Addie, Denise, Heather, Lisa I, Raven, and Rhonda
We discussed the book River Town by Peter Hessler. Rhonda was the only one that finished the book. The rest of us were about halfway through with the book. The overall consensus was that the book wasn't super captivating and a page turner, but it was interesting to read and not horrible. We all really liked the entries of Peter's students that he included in the book. We discussed how the Chinese are very black and white with everything. We also talked about the Yangtze and the damming of it that happened after the book took place. Addie recommended the movie Up the Yangtze. Here is a picture of one of the Stick Stick men. Lisa said that she Googled a lot of what Peter discussed so that she could see what he was talking about, which was a very brilliant idea to do! We also discussed the American names that the students chose for themselves and everyone seemed to like "Mo Money" or "Lazy" the best.
The one other thing that I can remember that stood out at this book club was that at one point everyone either had out their phones or iPads and were playing Draw Something :). I think that we have some addicts in this group!
Here are the details for the next book club:
When: Tuesday May 1, 2012 at 7pm
Where: Rhonda's House
What We Are Reading: Rules of Civility by Amor Towles
Oh, we also talked about the Hunger Games movie and Addie and I both liked the movie and thought that they did a good job with it.
We hope to see all of our missing members at the next one!
Heather
We discussed the book River Town by Peter Hessler. Rhonda was the only one that finished the book. The rest of us were about halfway through with the book. The overall consensus was that the book wasn't super captivating and a page turner, but it was interesting to read and not horrible. We all really liked the entries of Peter's students that he included in the book. We discussed how the Chinese are very black and white with everything. We also talked about the Yangtze and the damming of it that happened after the book took place. Addie recommended the movie Up the Yangtze. Here is a picture of one of the Stick Stick men. Lisa said that she Googled a lot of what Peter discussed so that she could see what he was talking about, which was a very brilliant idea to do! We also discussed the American names that the students chose for themselves and everyone seemed to like "Mo Money" or "Lazy" the best.
The one other thing that I can remember that stood out at this book club was that at one point everyone either had out their phones or iPads and were playing Draw Something :). I think that we have some addicts in this group!
Here are the details for the next book club:
When: Tuesday May 1, 2012 at 7pm
Where: Rhonda's House
What We Are Reading: Rules of Civility by Amor Towles
Oh, we also talked about the Hunger Games movie and Addie and I both liked the movie and thought that they did a good job with it.
We hope to see all of our missing members at the next one!
Heather
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Book Club Recap 2/21/22
Attendees: Addie, Denise, Heather, Lisa I., Randy, Raven, and Rhonda with appearances by Cooper and the dogs.
First, we all want to send our condolences to you, Tina. We are very sorry to hear about your mom. If you need anything, please let us know.
The first book that we discussed was Blue Nights by Joan Didion. It was pretty unanimous that the book was very well written, but not our favorite book. A lot of us thought that the Joan Didion was a bit self-centered and the book was kind of like a pity book for Joan. We did think that it felt like this book and her last one were more like journal entries of how she felt during these times. We talked about how we couldn't relate to Joan because her life was so different than ours. We felt that Joan and her husband (more-so Joan) were not ready to raise children and how they got Quintana was very quick and they weren't really ready for a kid. We were trying to remember how Quintana exactly died (Joan didn't go into it much) and here is what I found:
We all said that we didn't want to read any more of her books, because it was a bit depressing, but we don't think that she will be writing any more of these memoirs.
The next book that we read was The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender. The group was split on this one. Lisa and myself didn't like it and Rhonda and Addie really liked it. Addie liked how they told the story about the brother through the sister, but I didn't like that about the book. I was really hoping that the author would have explored the feelings that were present in the food that the girl ate, but she mostly avoided food. The book was just not what I expected and having her dad's side of the family having superpowers didn't seem like it fit with the book. Lisa felt like the author was told to write a creative essay and this is what she came up with. Rhonda said that she felt real sympathy for the girl (I can't remember her name) and how she felt whenever she ate food. It was a quick read, which was nice!
Callah, we do hope that you will join us again one of these days even though we hear you have a new book club :) (we understand about ours being late and far from where you live!). We talked about gas and where the best prices are (Costco and Food 4 Less). Lisa brought some yummy citrus fruit for us to take. Rhonda also brought home some more cupcakes that were delicious! Rhonda even gave the bakery the idea for their new and yummy Lavender Carmel Cupcakes! Raven is now reading books and her friend Randy was there, but he was feeling a little under the weather. Addie's dog Dexter has lots and lots of energy and jumps very high!
Information for our next book club:
When: Tuesday March 27th at 7pm
Where: Rhonda's House
What we are reading: River Town by Petter Hessler
First, we all want to send our condolences to you, Tina. We are very sorry to hear about your mom. If you need anything, please let us know.
The first book that we discussed was Blue Nights by Joan Didion. It was pretty unanimous that the book was very well written, but not our favorite book. A lot of us thought that the Joan Didion was a bit self-centered and the book was kind of like a pity book for Joan. We did think that it felt like this book and her last one were more like journal entries of how she felt during these times. We talked about how we couldn't relate to Joan because her life was so different than ours. We felt that Joan and her husband (more-so Joan) were not ready to raise children and how they got Quintana was very quick and they weren't really ready for a kid. We were trying to remember how Quintana exactly died (Joan didn't go into it much) and here is what I found:
Quintana was rushed to the hospital with the flu and a fever of 103. Over the next few days she developed pneumonia, then septic shock. She survived 50-50 odds but remained in intensive care...Quintana had to be told three times that her father had died — twice in January, as she drifted in and out of consciousness, and once more at UCLA Medical Center the following spring. The family finally held a funeral for [Quintana's father, John Gregory] Dunne, also at St. John the Divine, on March 23, 2004. Two days later, Quintana flew out to California with her husband — "to restart their life," as Didion wrote in Magical Thinking. When Didion said good-bye, Quintana seemed anxious. While leaving the airport in Los Angeles, she collapsed with a cerebral hemorrhage. Another month of touch-and-go hospitalization left her partially paralyzed. After recovering yet again, she came down with acute pancreatitis in the late spring of 2005. She died on August 26.It seems like acute pancreatitis is linked with alcoholism.
We all said that we didn't want to read any more of her books, because it was a bit depressing, but we don't think that she will be writing any more of these memoirs.
The next book that we read was The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender. The group was split on this one. Lisa and myself didn't like it and Rhonda and Addie really liked it. Addie liked how they told the story about the brother through the sister, but I didn't like that about the book. I was really hoping that the author would have explored the feelings that were present in the food that the girl ate, but she mostly avoided food. The book was just not what I expected and having her dad's side of the family having superpowers didn't seem like it fit with the book. Lisa felt like the author was told to write a creative essay and this is what she came up with. Rhonda said that she felt real sympathy for the girl (I can't remember her name) and how she felt whenever she ate food. It was a quick read, which was nice!
Callah, we do hope that you will join us again one of these days even though we hear you have a new book club :) (we understand about ours being late and far from where you live!). We talked about gas and where the best prices are (Costco and Food 4 Less). Lisa brought some yummy citrus fruit for us to take. Rhonda also brought home some more cupcakes that were delicious! Rhonda even gave the bakery the idea for their new and yummy Lavender Carmel Cupcakes! Raven is now reading books and her friend Randy was there, but he was feeling a little under the weather. Addie's dog Dexter has lots and lots of energy and jumps very high!
Information for our next book club:
When: Tuesday March 27th at 7pm
Where: Rhonda's House
What we are reading: River Town by Petter Hessler
Monday, February 20, 2012
Book Club Tomorrow 2/21/12
Book club is tomorrow! Hopefully, the extra time allowed some of you (Denise & Tina) to read the books :) See everyone at Rhonda's house tomorrow at 7pm!
-Heather
-Heather
Monday, February 6, 2012
Book Club Tomorrow 2/7/12
Hello everyone!
Book club is tomorrow at Rhonda's house at 7pm. We will be discussing Joan Didion's Blue Nights and Aimee Bender's The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake. If you were a fast reader or didn't want to read the other two books we will discuss River Town by Peter Hessler.
See you tomorrow!
Heather
Book club is tomorrow at Rhonda's house at 7pm. We will be discussing Joan Didion's Blue Nights and Aimee Bender's The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake. If you were a fast reader or didn't want to read the other two books we will discuss River Town by Peter Hessler.
See you tomorrow!
Heather
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Book Club Recap 1/10/12
Attendees: Addie, Denise, Heather, Lisa, Michelle, Raven, & Rhonda. With a special appearance by the birthday boy Cooper!
We discussed 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami. We all thought that that the book was very interesting. We loved that the main character, Aomame (Denise pronounced the name correctly for us), was a strong female character that killed off men that did horrible/bad stuff to women. We also thought that the Dowager was a good female character too. I don't want to write too much of what we discussed because I know that there are still some people that are reading the book (it is a long one!) and I don't want to spoil anything. We did wonder about a lot of the stuff that was left unresolved in the book and we discussed that. We talked about the parallels between Aomame and Tengo. We all really liked the book and would recommend it!
Rhonda is having her backyard done (Denise had hers done and it looks awesome!) and we got to see a little bit of what they are doing and I can't wait until that is done. Rhonda also brought out some yummy cupcakes from the bakery that she uses for her dog business.
We had a hard time trying to figure out what book to read, so I will list two books that we decided on with a third if you would prefer not to read the above two.
Here are the details for the next book club:
When: 2/7/12 at 7pm
Where: Rhonda's House
What are we reading: Blue Nights by Joan Didion. This is a short book at 188 pages :) and the second came from a referral by Cooper who heard from one of his patients. I can't remember exactly what Cooper called it, but it was something along the lines of My Mother Eats Lemon Cake...It is actually The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender
If you are a super reader or if you don't want to read the two above you could read River Town by Peter Hessler
Happy Reading!
We discussed 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami. We all thought that that the book was very interesting. We loved that the main character, Aomame (Denise pronounced the name correctly for us), was a strong female character that killed off men that did horrible/bad stuff to women. We also thought that the Dowager was a good female character too. I don't want to write too much of what we discussed because I know that there are still some people that are reading the book (it is a long one!) and I don't want to spoil anything. We did wonder about a lot of the stuff that was left unresolved in the book and we discussed that. We talked about the parallels between Aomame and Tengo. We all really liked the book and would recommend it!
Rhonda is having her backyard done (Denise had hers done and it looks awesome!) and we got to see a little bit of what they are doing and I can't wait until that is done. Rhonda also brought out some yummy cupcakes from the bakery that she uses for her dog business.
We had a hard time trying to figure out what book to read, so I will list two books that we decided on with a third if you would prefer not to read the above two.
Here are the details for the next book club:
When: 2/7/12 at 7pm
Where: Rhonda's House
What are we reading: Blue Nights by Joan Didion. This is a short book at 188 pages :) and the second came from a referral by Cooper who heard from one of his patients. I can't remember exactly what Cooper called it, but it was something along the lines of My Mother Eats Lemon Cake...It is actually The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender
If you are a super reader or if you don't want to read the two above you could read River Town by Peter Hessler
Happy Reading!
Friday, November 18, 2011
Book Club Recap 11/15/11
Attendees: Denise, Heather, Lisa I., Raven and Rhonda
There wasn't a huge turnout at book club, but it was still a lot of fun! Rhonda and I were the only ones that finished the book, but there was still plenty to talk about. We all thought that the book was a page turner and very interesting. We talked about how amazing it was that Henrietta's cells have been used for so many things and how they are everywhere! It was also really eye opening to find out that if any part of your body is taken out during surgery, it no longer belongs to you and you have no rights to it, but doctors and scientists can do whatever they want with it. We all thought that it was very sad that Henrietta's family was dirt poor and so uneducated and yet their mother's cells were doing so much for the medical field and her cells were making a lot of money, which the family did not get one penny from. We talked a lot about this book and the issues that it brings up with a lot of stuff regarding studies done to people and racial and gender issues. We all liked the book and if you haven't read it I think that you should!
After the book talk we talked about the crazy run/obstacle course that Rhonda is doing this weekend. Rhonda told us a very funny story about doing some Burpees and yelling at someone (you'll have to ask her!). We also talked about what the Valley and Los Angeles was like when Rhonda, Denise, and Lisa were younger. We talked about Denise and Rambo's backyard and all of the craziness that has gone on with the big dumpster! We are looking forward to when their yard is done so that we can all see it! Raven brought some cupcakes from the place that won the Cupcake Wars this year and they were delicious! Lastly, Rhonda already has her Christmas decorations up!
Here are the details for our next book club:
When: Tuesday 1/10/12 at 7pm
Where: Rhonda's house
What we are reading:
1Q84 by Haruki Murakami
Happy Reading!!!
-Heather
There wasn't a huge turnout at book club, but it was still a lot of fun! Rhonda and I were the only ones that finished the book, but there was still plenty to talk about. We all thought that the book was a page turner and very interesting. We talked about how amazing it was that Henrietta's cells have been used for so many things and how they are everywhere! It was also really eye opening to find out that if any part of your body is taken out during surgery, it no longer belongs to you and you have no rights to it, but doctors and scientists can do whatever they want with it. We all thought that it was very sad that Henrietta's family was dirt poor and so uneducated and yet their mother's cells were doing so much for the medical field and her cells were making a lot of money, which the family did not get one penny from. We talked a lot about this book and the issues that it brings up with a lot of stuff regarding studies done to people and racial and gender issues. We all liked the book and if you haven't read it I think that you should!
After the book talk we talked about the crazy run/obstacle course that Rhonda is doing this weekend. Rhonda told us a very funny story about doing some Burpees and yelling at someone (you'll have to ask her!). We also talked about what the Valley and Los Angeles was like when Rhonda, Denise, and Lisa were younger. We talked about Denise and Rambo's backyard and all of the craziness that has gone on with the big dumpster! We are looking forward to when their yard is done so that we can all see it! Raven brought some cupcakes from the place that won the Cupcake Wars this year and they were delicious! Lastly, Rhonda already has her Christmas decorations up!
Here are the details for our next book club:
When: Tuesday 1/10/12 at 7pm
Where: Rhonda's house
What we are reading:
1Q84 by Haruki Murakami
Happy Reading!!!
-Heather
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