October Book Club- The Lake of Dead Languages

Hostess: Erin

Book: The Lake of Dead Languages by Carol Goodman

Food: Corn Chowder, cheese and crackers, grape leaves, hummus and pita, and hot chocolate cookies 

Wine of the Night: Kate and Cassie

Month: October

I was so excited for this book club- October is my favorite month, and Carol Goodman is one of my favorite authors.  I couldn't wait to see what my friends thought of this book.  It kind of starts out slow, but slowly builds with the mystery, intrigue and drama.

This book is history repeating itself for poor Jane, the main character.  As a kid, she made friends with Lucy and Matt, who sucked her into their world of myth, legend, and Latin.  Lucy and Jane begin Heart Lake Academy together, and continue with their Latin studies and have a near obsession with their teacher, Domina Chambers. Ancient rituals are re-enacted, truths are learned, and people die  seeming suicides by drowning.  Years later, Jane returns to Heart Lake, this time as the Latin teacher herself, and the old patterns begin again, people are dying, and pages from Jane's old diary surface as well. What really happened back then, what is the real story behind the story?  

I love this book, I love reading about old rituals and rights and pretentious boarding schools filled with intellectuals. I love all that mythology and folklore and legend.  I also realized that all the books I have chosen involved drowning - Remembering Blue, The Problem with Murmur Lee, The Lake of Dead Languages- strange! 

The characters in the book had Latin names.  When I took Latin in high school (four years!) we did not have Latin names, although that would have been cool.  Latin was one of my favorite classes in school - I took Latin and French in high school, and I did have a French name - Catherine. Anyway, I decided it would be cool to give the book club members Latin names.  So :  After discarding three names, one being Melona, the goddess of bees, for Chrissy, I decided on Persephone.  This is probably my favorite myth, and I thought it applied to Chrissy for two reasons- one, her names mean rebirth, and Persephone is a rebirth myth, and second, because when Persephone returns from the underworld, she brings with her spring, returning the world to life and warmth and new beginnings.  I know that Chrissy hates winter, and loves when winter recedes becoming the warm days of spring.  For Jennifer, who reminds me of an earth mother, I chose Vesta, the goddess of hearth and home.  For Jill, another summer lover and winter hater, I picked Aestas, the goddess of summer, and for Mary, I chose Carmenta, the goddess of childbirth and prophecy, as Mary is both pregnant and a little psychic! Kelly, lover of romance novels, I picked Aphrodite (and another name as well), and for Alyssa, my friend who is very careful and thoughtful of her words and actions, I chose Providentia, who is the goddess of forethought.  I had my husband choose my name, and he picked Luna, goddess of the moon.  It was actually harder than I thought - you can tell by looking at the types of gods and goddesses worshiped what was most important to ancient Romans- harvest, childbirth and death. 

I had a great time this book club, as always really.  I highly recommend this book to everyone, and most of her other books too. 

November book club is Jill's, and the book she has chosen is The Gargoyle.  

September Book Club- Breakfast at Tiffany's

Hostess: Mary

Book: Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote

Food:giant four cheese party pizza, caramel apple pie, double chocolate cookies

Wine of the Night: Red Bicyclette

Month: September

Who knew this book was by Truman Capote! I sure didn't. The only other book I have read by Capote is In Cold Blood, which is certainly much different than Breakfast at Tiffany's.  Although, while not a murderer, Holly Golightly was not that nice of a person in my opinion! Jill and I have both only read the book, and neither of us cared for her at all.  I was shocked since the movie and the character seem so beloved.  Jennifer and Kelly have both seen the movie and read the book, and Jennifer reasoned that the reason Holly Golightly is probably so well liked is because she was played by the adorable and charming Audrey Hepburn. For me, this really did explain why such a terrible character could be so well liked.  In the book, she has no charm or finesse, she just seems like a selfish, self indulgent gold digger without a conscience.  Nope, I just didn't like her.  I will have to watch the movie one of these days to see how it compares.

I love my book club, and all the people in it.  This month was a little different - many of us had started new jobs or just gone back to work.  And one of us is pregnant, started a new job, and is remodeling her house to make room for the new baby.  So Kelly volunteered the use of her house the day before book club, and a plethora of wine, and Jill provided the food, to alleviate any stress on Mary, who was very grateful! 

Mary had requested we all bring a list of the weirdest names we have ever heard - and Jennifer was the clear winner for having heard the oddest names! My personal favorite is Marijuana. (as an odd name) I was the only nerd to have actually written them down.   

This was another fun night!

October book club is my choice, and I decided on The Lake of Dead Languages by Carol Goodman, one of my favorites!  I can't wait to hear what everyone thinks of it!

August Book Club - The Story of the Eye

 Hostess: Alyssa

Book: Story of the Eye by Georges Bataille

Food:Leek and Jalapeno Salmon, french bread with goat cheese and pear (and jalapenos on half), cake

Wine of the Night: Lula B.

Month: August

Never let it be said that we are a timid and tame book club- we are bold and unafraid.  Alyssa told us that this was a book that could never be unread, and she was right- once this book is in your head, it is there forever.

This book is pretty controversial, and I don't recommend it to everyone.  Read about it first before picking it up.  It did spark a lively book club discussion though!  Everything in the book is memorable, and there is never a dull moment.  To me, I feel the book is about hedonism and freedom, even when that freedom borders and crosses into deviance - sexual and social.  The author explains in the back of the book some of his motivations for the book; I would love to know more, and plan to research even more deeply into the reasoning behind it.

We had a special book club this month- we were officially congratulating Mary on her pregnancy! I know that I am hoping she has a girl and names her Erin- what a great name. ;)  Alyssa bought a special cake for Mary, that we all got to enjoy. I should have skipped the cake, after the million pieces of bread with goat cheese and pear that I ate.  I could eat that everyday, it was so good!

Next month (September) is Mary's pick, and we are reading Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote. 

Vixen- Book Club

Hostess: Kelly

Book: Vixen by Jillian Larkin

Food:Cheese Pesto tortellini, hummus, veggies and dip, strawberry/pineapple fruit salad, baguette, Kelly's cheese puffs, watermelon, Coldstone Creamery Cupcakes

Wine of the Night: Sangria (we never made it past the huge jug of Sangria- although the Lulu B. bottle looked cute!)

Month: July

Last night book club was sultry with a side of sultry.  The hottest day of the summer, and our group of women were feeling it.  Hot and humid, we combated the heat with wine glasses full of icy sangria. Even the wine bottles were sweating.  Kelly's table was set so picturesque, by the way, that I have resolved to bring my camera to future book clubs. However, this weather did not bring book club down- in fact it led to one of our most entertaining book clubs to date, I think. 

Most of us had read the book - which I have to say looked perfect on the table in Kelly's house.  Kelly was upset that the end was a cliffhanger; I said it was hard for me to remember they were still in high school.  It would throw me every time one of the characters would mention that they had school the next day.  Most of us agreed the characters were not that likable, especially Gloria- she was boring and even her rebellion seemed too perfectly cliche.  I actually liked Lorraine - she was a hot mess, and that made her interesting.  Jennifer said that it drove her nuts when Clara referred to her ex-boyfriend as the Cad, and I couldn't stand them constantly referring to Clara as "Country Clara" every time they talked about her.  I get the point already!

While the book had its ups and downs, it was the perfect book to discuss on a hot night - jazz, booze, boys..all our book club needed last night was jazz.  It seemed we strayed off the topic of the book quite often to discuss our favorite characters on True Blood - mainly Eric and Alcide.  And Sam and Jason.  And how they looked shirtless.  Which is not something we ever sit around and discuss! Blame it on the sultry air and the sangria. I am.

Next book club is Alyssa's pick - I will let you all know what it is when I find out. 


You can read my whole review of this book at my book blog, Quixotic Magpie.

Farm City

Hostess: Jennifer

Book: Farm City by Novella Carpenter

Food: Roasted Vegetables, fruit salad, chocolate and vanilla pudding tarts, cheese tortellini with pesto, Boursin cheese dip with basil and tomatoes

Wine of the Night: Lucky Duck Malbec

Month: May

I read this book immediately after last month's book club, and then had to wait a whole month to talk about it! This book was an interesting departure from our normal book club books, and I really enjoyed it. I have to say though, this hits a lot of notes with me, since I am really interested in urban gardening, farming, and food - but not necessarily butchering meat. Actually, not anything related to eating meat at all.

I loved this book - although to be honest I did skip a few parts. As a warning, this has a lot of animal slaughter in it! I did appreciate that Carpenter did care about her animals and treated them humanely before killing and eating them. She put alot of effort into feeding them, and making sure that they were well taken care of. One thing I thought was interesting were how the neighborhood children responded, with curiosity and awe. It was probably the only time some of those kids had seen a real live turkey or pig. My favorite parts were the ones involving the bees and her neighbor, who was always trying to get Carpenter to go vegetarian. Chrissy liked those parts too, and Jennifer and Chrissy both really liked her 30 day challenge of eating food that was within 500 yards of her, or something like that. It was extreme local eating. There is one part during that section with Carpenter and a fruit tree that very vividly stands out from the book for some reason. There really are so many different things that happen in this book, it is a great read. And if you are like me, squeamish about animal death, I didn't feel it detracted from the book to have skipped those parts.

If you are interested, Carpenter has her own blog http://ghosttownfarm.wordpress.com/, where you can read more about her endeavors in urban farming.

Next month is Chrissy's pick, The Lost City of Z. I have been wanting to read this book, and have been putting it off for months, so I am glad it is our book club book.

Sarah's Key

Hostess: Jill

Book: Sarah's Key by Tatiana De Rosnay

Food: Homemade Baked Macaroni and Cheese, Hummus and Pita, Homemade bumpy cake, Artichoke and Goat Cheese Bruschetta, Strawberry Salad with blue cheese

Wine of the Night: Columbia Crest Riesling

Month: April

It seemed that most of us in book club are closet Francophiles - however, the book Sarah's Key reveals a not so great side of French history during World War II. I hate writing my own plot summaries, so I will just let the publisher do it for us:

Paris, July 1942: Sarah, a ten year-old girl, is brutally arrested with her family by the French police in the Vel’ d’Hiv’ roundup, but not before she locks her younger brother in a cupboard in the family's apartment, thinking that she will be back within a few hours.

Paris, May 2002: On Vel’ d’Hiv’s 60th anniversary, journalist Julia Jarmond is asked to write an article about this black day in France's past. Through her contemporary investigation, she stumbles onto a trail of long-hidden family secrets that connect her to Sarah. Julia finds herself compelled to retrace the girl's ordeal, from that terrible term in the Vel d'Hiv', to the camps, and beyond. As she probes into Sarah's past, she begins to question her own place in France, and to reevaluate her marriage and her life.

It was unanimous- everyone loved this book - and for the first time, we had almost everyone finish the book. Only one person did not finish in time. Most of us read it in one sitting, not able to put it down, and all of us cried. We talked about the internment camps full of children with no one to care for them, of Sarah's brother, and of Julia's marriage.

Personally, this book opened my eyes to a part of history that I did not realize happened. I am not sure why I never put this together, that France sent Jewish citizens to concentration camps. I feel like Julia did, like it is a little known horrible fact, probably much like America's internment camps of Japanese-Americans during the same time frame. I have a degree in History, but this was an event that remained hidden in all my studies. I think that de Rosnay did a wonderful job of bringing it into the light, to remind us all of events that should never be forgotten.

Next month is Jennifer's pick - Farm City: The Education of an Urban Farmer by Novella Carpenter. It seems like the perfect pick for spring.

A Lesson Before Dying

Hostess: Mary with the Most-ess

Book: A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines

Food: Fruit Tray, Vegetarian Lasagna, sauteed peppers and Italian bread, Spring Salad mix, and Key Lime Cupcakes by Chrissy

Wine of the Night: Cupcake Wine - Shiraz (probably a book club all time favorite)

Month: March

This was yet again another book club book not to be missed. I have to admit, I did not finish it before book club. I was feeling very whimsical this month, and just couldn't focus on such a serious book, so it took me a tad longer than normal. A few did finish the book on time, and really enjoyed it. It reminded me in a sense of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, both novels dealing with the unfair incarceration of a black man. The references to Jefferson being a hog, or like one, were so upsetting and bothersome, and exactly what the reader needed to feel what was happening from Jefferson's perspective. This is a book that everyone should read at some point in their lives.

It was also the birthday celebration for Alyssa ~ Chrissy made yummy Key Lime Cupcakes. As I type I want another one. Alyssa couldn't make it due to a family emergency (everything is ok though) but we all ate her cupcakes in her honor.

Our book club sponsors a child through World Vision, a young girl named Marisol from Peru. This month we were lucky enough to have received a letter from Marisol. She is such a great artist, and we recently sent Marisol a gift of colored pencils to use in her drawings. Our letter came with a very well drawn picture of her family farm. We have also introduced her to the American trend of Silly Bands, which she thanked us for. I am getting ready to send another letter out, with a few new goodies for her.

Next month is Jill's pick- Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay. Should be another good one!!

Waltzing the Cat

Hostess: Erin (me)

Book: Waltzing the Cat by Pam Houston

Food: Lemon Risotto with Asparagus, hummus, pita, baguette, brie en croute, brownies, cheese and crackers

Wine of the Night: Fetzer Merlot

Month: February

My step mom Shellie introduced me to this book and author years ago, and I fell in love with Houston's writing from the minute I opened the book. I couldn't wait to hear what my friends thought of it as well.

Lucy O'Rourke is a fearless figure, traveling about hither and yon, camera in hand, navigating rapid rivers. I read this and think, what a great life, I would love to be a traveling photographer, going on adventures and experiencing new cultures. The only thing that seems to trip her up are her relationships with men. We go from one relationship to the next with Lucy, wondering what is around every turn ~ and we learn she has some excess baggage from her childhood too.

This book is a series of short stories, all about Lucy. We all seemed to have our favorites ~ Chrissy enjoyed the title story, I liked Three Lessons in Amazonian Biology, Jennifer's favorite was Then You Get Up and Have Breakfast...we all seemed to enjoy different stories. When it came to Lucy's relationships, we seemed to root for either Erik Sorenson, the alcoholic, or Marcus, who seems like he will be the one, but is not. We all thought Carter was a joke, and couldn't believe Lucy was even with him! For a while, it seemed like we were talking about the relationships of someone we knew. The book had its emotional ups and downs, aside from Lucy's man troubles - I know quite a few of us said we cried when we read about Lucy's mother, I was sick inside waiting for Ellie the dog to get better, and hoping that she would.

All in all, this book seemed to have a bit of everything for all of us, and we are a group of women with very distinct and different personalities, with interests in common. And, this is the third book I have chosen that features water as a theme and literary device. I am going to have to investigate that further, I think.

Next month is Mary ~ she has chosen A Lesson Before Dying, by Ernest Gaines. It should be a thought provoking read, and I am looking forward to it!

The Knockout Artist

Hostess: Alyssa

Book:The Knockout Artist by Harry Crews

Food: Salmon with leeks and jalapeno, toasted bread with goat cheese, pears and roasted red pepper, triple chocolate torte

Wine of the Night: Tormenta

Month: January

First book club of the new year, and I needed it. I have been feeling a little bummed out this week, with all that has been going on, but apparently all I needed was book club. Good friends, good food, good conversation, and of course good wine.

Alyssa always picks books with strange, sordid characters living the basest forms of life, doing the worst possible things to get by. Eugene Biggs may not have quite hit rock bottom, but he was lingering around down there with a crazy cast of characters. Oyster Boy, Charity, Pete..

We all agreed the book was hard to get into. For me, the turning point was the introduction of Charity. She was a bigger mystery to me - like what was her story? She acted like a super academic, but she was really just crazy. Karin and I agreed that she was just getting off on her relationship with Eugene, and had the money to live out the farce she was producing. Ironically though, it is crazy Charity's "work" that finally gets the lead out of Eugene and gets him to want to change his life. Shame and humiliation kept him from going home, but reading what Charity thought of him, and realizing that he was just an unique party favor was the epiphany creating moment.

Will I read Harry Crews again? Probably - Alyssa told us about one novel that sounded kind of interesting, although I can't recall the title. I will have to find out. He looks like an interesting guy too.

Karin, at her book club meeting in November, mentioned that we all have a pattern of book choices, which was really interesting. I have been thinking about this, and will continue thinking about this until I decide what pattern I seem to follow. I already did find a common theme that runs through all my choices, although I don't think this is what Karin meant. All of my choices have involved water as a major player ~ Remembering Blue, The Problem with Murmur Lee, and now my next choice, Waltzing the Cat. I hope to explore this idea further, as it develops in my mind.

The next book club book is Waltzing the Cat by Pam Houston, my choice. I am looking forward to rereading this book, Pam Houston is a favorite of mine.

The Day the Falls Stood Still - Not a book review!

Hostess: Kelly

Book:The Day the Falls Stood Still by Cathy Marie Buchanan

Food: Little cheese tarts that were amazing, cake, Vegetarian Lasagna, Cannoli Cake

Wine of the Night: The Big Red Monster

Month: December

I am going to start this by being honest. I didn't read this book, this time for book club. December was a crazy month for me- and will probably be the subject of another blog. This is the first time in the existence of our book club I haven't finished the book. I am disappointed in myself for that, but I will read it! Maybe I will read it today - everyone who did read it, loved it.

This book club was a special holiday book club. This year we decided to exchange handmade gifts for each other, and I loved it! It was so exciting to see how creative my friends are, and I loved everything I received.

From Kelly and Chrissy: Kelly knitted us all warm, thick scarves, and Chrissy made everyone arm warmers from wool sweaters, felting the wool herself. (Miso and Marlow both tried to get into this picture as well, as you can see.)

From Karin and Jennifer: Karin made us each bookmarks with our names, and candles - mine smells cozy and spicy, like pumpkin pie. Jennifer made us all bracelets, with individually chosen center buttons- I love my thistle! (Another difficult photo to take - see Maggie's whiskers in the side of the shot? She kept trying to steal my bracelet!)

From Mary, Jill, Alyssa and I: Mary made cute Christmas recipe boxes and recipe cards, with a few wintry recipes- I am looking forward to trying Snow Cream! Jill made us all homemade Baileys, which I am actually sipping in my coffee right now. Yum. I made everyone Pomegranate Jam. I unfortunately can't show you a photo of Alyssa's - I ate it already! Alyssa made us each two croissants- one spinach and cheese, the other chocolate. They were devoured before I could take a photo, with a little help from Billy.

It was a perfect, simple Christmas exchange. It was about friendship and thoughtfulness, creativity and Christmas spirit. I had a great night with friends, sipping wine, noshing on foodstuffs, and just making memories.

Next book club pick is Alyssa's - The Knockout Artist by Harry Crews.

By Nightfall

Hostess: Karin

Book: By Nightfall, by Michael Cunningham

Food: Cheese and crackers,vegetarian chili, eclairs, pomegrante seeds, chips and salsa, cookies

Wine of the Night: Red Bicyclette, Pinot Noir

Month: November

For me, this book needed to settle and sink in before I could make up my mind about how I felt about it. Kind of like how meat has to rest to seal in the juices before being served, I needed to let this book rest.

This book is in short about an art dealer, his wife, her much younger brother, and their satisfying yet boring lives, and how they really feel inside about all these things. That is my one sentence summary lol.

Peter is an art dealer somewhere in his forties- it seems like somehow the excitement of his life has gotten away from him, the euphoria of being alive and in love, and just plain feeling in charge of his own life, free. Everything about his life seems it is going well on the surface, but it also feels rather mundane to the reader, who is privy to Peter's thoughts through the third person point of view the book is written in.

His life is just going on, he is part of the ride, all is at status quo, until Mizzy arrives. Mizzy is Peter's brother in law Ethan, known as Mizzy, which is short for "The Mistake". Mizzy is about 20 years younger than his sister Rebecca and Peter, and was always treated like a brilliant little genius who was spoiled rotten by his family. He sounds like he was a precocious brat growing up, and to be honest, he still kind of was at twenty. Rebecca and her other sisters always catered to Mizzy, and wanted to fix him and his issues all the time. Mizzy is very intelligent, yet a troubled free spirit who attended Yale but never graduated and has had multiple drug problems. As he is the baby of the family, Rebecca just wants to make things better for him, and help him find the right path. Very shortly after Mizzy arrives, Peter discovers that Mizzy is using drugs still.

Mizzy's presence reawakens feelings in Peter that he had for his wife when she was younger, when they first met. Peter begins to feel an attraction to Mizzy that rocks his whole world - is he in love with Mizzy? Would he leave his family for Mizzy? We all decided at book club that he was just attracted to the wild beauty of Mizzy, and also to the similarities he shares of a young Rebecca. Peter and Mizzy share a kiss on a beach and Mizzy tells Peter that he always had a crush on him, further confusing poor Peter. Later, in a conversation over coffee post-kiss, Peter confesses that he has serious feelings for Mizzy and is not sure if he can go back to his normal life. The way the conversation unfolds, you feel as if Mizzy had set out to deliberately seduce Peter so that Peter would not tell Rebecca Mizzy was using drugs again. It made me feel bad for Peter, even though he was going to cheat on his wife with his brother in law. Peter goes home, and finds out Rebecca wants to leave him. It is probably the worst night ever for Peter. They talk about their life together, and at the books end, you feel they are going to work on things, and you know that Peter is going to confess what happened with Mizzy.

The book kind of reminded me of JD Salinger's style of writing a little. While I very much enjoyed the writing style, the pacing of the plot was a little slow for my taste. I also did not like at all how Cunningham constantly seemed to name drop. That was annoying.

Overall this book was not too bad- I will probably remember it and think about it for a while to come, and for me, this means a book has done its job.

Next month we meet at Kelly's for our Christmas book club! I am excited for it- we decided to exchange handmade gifts this year, and I am so looking forward to what my friends have created, and to give them mine. The book for next month is The Day the Falls Stood Still by Cathy Marie Buchanan, Kelly's pick.

Good In Bed

Hostess: Mary

Book: Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner

Food: Cheese and crackers, pasta, Halloween cupcakes, grilled peaches with bleu cheese, veggie tray

Wine of the Night: Little Black Dress

Month: October

This was a nice uplift from the seriousness of The Help ~ a perfect little book break. While this book was not mind blowing or life changing, the main character Cannie has an interesting voice throughout the book, which is very readable. She is a little snarky, a little sarcastic, a little whiny all at once. I found myself rooting for her, and wanting to slap her all at the same time.

I didn't like her chasing her ex. I wanted her to have more self esteem than that, but at the same time, that is precisely what the book is about, how she needs to get over the jerk that her dad was and have some feelings of self worth. Speaking of her dad, I would have loved for the story to explore the effects of their father's desertion a little more- in fact, it could have gone in place of the part where Cannie is living in Hollywood, with her new best friend, a movie star. This is a personal pet peeve of mine in books- where a regular, everyday person all of a sudden meets someone famous and the book whisks you away to Hollywood. I really hate this for some reason. I think it is asking to much of me, to suspend belief that much. I feel that Weiner tried to tie that in with Cannie meeting her father again and confronting him, but still, frustratingly, there wasn't any closure.

I also for some reason thought she was being a big baby about her mother's new relationship. I didn't think her response was appropriate for an adult. I can understand that she might be a little shocked, and that the situation might take some getting used to, but I thought Cannie was a little juvenile in her behavior.

I did like when Cannie sunk into a funk and just walked and walked and walked everywhere. Apparently I like my characters to suffer a bit. For Cannie, I think it gave her a depth of character I hadn't seen before in the book. I also liked her hooking up with that super awesome doctor. So I like happy endings for my suffering characters too :)

Next month's book is Karin's choice, By Nightfall, by Michael Cunningham.

The Help

Hostess: Jennifer

Book: The Help

Food: Cucumber Salad, Pesto Tortellini, Cheese Dip, cupcakes and cookies, cheese and crackers, garlic and herb dip

Wine of the Night: Malbec

Month: September

I am so behind on my book club blogs. We are about to have our November book club, and here I am talking about September's!

The Help is one of my favorite books of 2010. I devoured this book from start to finish, I was totally involved with the characters lives and the journey they were all on. More than the central plotline of racism and feminism that ran through the book, I was drawn to the smaller story within the story of Aibleen, Elizabeth and Mae Mobley. Mae Mobley broke my heart- I hated Elizabeth for being a cold, intolerant mother.

I think I cried my way through the last part of this book - for the women, for the children, for the injustice. I waited for Elizabeth to wake up and start taking care of Mae Mobley, to wake up and stop listening to Hilly- but it never happened. I cheered for Minny, loving her attitude and her relationship with Celia, although I was terrified for her as well. I cried when Skeeter's mom gave her good advice about Stuart- and cried when I learned what she did to Constantine. I think this book was terrifically written, and while it is written about prejudice and intolerance in the 1960s, it could apply just as well to life today.

At book club, those of us who read it, read it in a flash. This was definitely a great book- I loaned it to my mother, knowing she would love it just as much. She read it, and immediately started reading it again a second time.

It is just that good.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Hostess: Jill

Book: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Food: Greek Pasta Salad, Bruschetta, Grilled peaches with Gorgonzola cheese, pita and dip, guacamole and chips.

Best Wine of the Night: The Sangria!

It was a gorgeous night for book club to meet, one of the first nights we have had this summer without oppressing, swamp-like humidity or a tornado caliber storm. Jill set up outside, which was fabulous. I think most of us were taken in by the sweetness of the night and wine - we sure didn't get in much talking about the book. We were just too relaxed it seemed.

But we did talk about the book a little, mainly on the biggest question surrounding the novel- the misogynistic themes that stream through out, raising their ugly heads. All that violence towards women- virtually every woman in the novel was assaulted by a man in some way, shape or form. Even Lisbeth seemed to dislike herself, and for all her sharp edges and bravado, was still body conscious, not liking her own shape. Was this to make her more relate-able to women readers, who may have body image issues of their own? Maybe it is just my American perspective, our hard core heroines do not have insecurities, at least none that they talk about. I thought it was interesting that Larsson chose to show her vulnerabilities.

We also talked about Blomkvist's relationship with his partner, Erica. We were more confused about Erica's relationship with her husband actually. Did he just love her that much that he allowed her her freedoms? Did he not love her enough? Was their marriage open for both of them? This was perplexing to us.

We all agreed that this was a fantastic book, and we all want to read the rest of the series. I am looking forward to next month's selection, Eating in the Light of the Moon, as well.

The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane

Hostess: Kelly at Alyssa's house

Book: The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane

Food: Fancy time cupcakes from a bakery, hummus, veggies with dip

Best Wine of the Night: Two Buck Chuck from Trader Joe's

Month: April

In March Kelly told us she was trying to decide between two books for her choice, this one and another one I can't remember anymore. I lobbied hard for this one- I love to read books about the Salem witch trials, I always have. I am also a huge history buff, I even have a degree in it, so this book appealed to me on this level as well. So when Kelly said this was the book she had chosen, I was pretty excited.

I loved this book, I pretty much devoured it in two days. At first Chrissy didn't care for the book, and felt the protagonist Connie was pretentious. I have to agree, she wasn't an instantly likeable character. I also could not believe she actually spent the night in that house the first night. That was pretty unbelievable, at least for me. Yuck. Connie did grow on me though-she was a thorough researcher who took her fact finding seriously. My historical research professor would have been pleased with her efforts and her use of materials.

I enjoyed the approach this book took to the idea of the Witchcraft trials- certainly it was one I have never heard broached before, that perhaps they really were witches after all, and it was not the hysterics of young selfish girls that started it all. It puts a very different spin on things, to think maybe there was a real witch in the bunch. Something to think about...

The Alchemist

Hostess: Karin

Book Selection: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Food: Berries with cream served in teacups, cheese tortellini with red sauce, hummus and pita, goat cheese and water crackers, breadsticks, veggies and dip

Best Wine of the Night: Espiral Vinoh Verde, a white blend from Portugal. Around $4.00 at Trader Joes.

Month: March

The first time I read this book, I tried to like it but didn't really. It went over my head, I had no idea what was happening, and I didn't quite care either. This time reading it for book club, I paid attention to the book and what the author was saying, and I enjoyed it so much better this time. I also think that my frame of mind during this reading made a difference as well; it was a good time in my life to read a positive, uplifting book. Not that my life is in shambles, quite the opposite really, but I think with the coming of spring out of a cold long winter this was a perfect book.

The book, very simply put, is all about discovering your personal legend,and the journey toward achieving that legend. That is the essence and very bare bones of this novel. My favorite line in the book, and the one that is at the heart of the book, is " When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it." I am trying to make that my personal mantra, it is such a powerfully positive way to look at the world. And if along the way things happen that seem to prevent from ever reaching your goal, Coelho encourages you to stop and think about what is happening. There is a reason behind the roadblock.

Karin mentioned the crystal merchant - he preferred dreaming the dream to realizing the dream. Dreaming gave him happiness, and he was content to continue dreaming, rather than risk disappointment, to him his dreams were as fragile, beautiful, and breakable as the crystal that he sold. Karin and I could see his point, to some extent. Sometimes it is nice just to dream, without feeling you have to pursue it. But I would believe those must be daydreams, not part of your personal quest. On another note, I loved the descriptions of the mint tea being served in a crystal glass - it sounds so refreshing, I am going to have to try it this summer.

At the end of the book, Santiago is beaten by refugees looking for treasure. Through bloody and swollen lips, Santiago tells his tormentors of his dream of treasure. As his assailants are leaving, the leader of the band of refugees pauses to tell the boy to give up dreaming, because he had a recurrent dream of his own, about treasure - and inadvertently reveals to Santiago the location of where his, the boy's, treasure, is. The leader goes on to say he would never be such a fool to cross a desert because of a dream. His dream was basically the same dream as Santiago's. Chrissy raised the question that perhaps since the refugee leader passed up the dream, the dream was transferred to Santiago, that the dream would live on in someone until it was fulfilled.

We all loved this book, and interestingly, we all want to read other books written by Coelho, but we all named different ones. I wonder if that means something? Our online member wants to read The Pilgrimage, Alyssa wants to read Veronika Decides to Die, I want to read Brida. But if you are looking for an optimistic, positive book, try this one. It is a fable for adults who need to be reminded to follow their hearts.

For those of you who want to read along with us and drink a glass of wine, next month's book is The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane. Please feel free to read and comment on all our book selections!

Reading The Lovely Bones

Hostess: Mary 2

Book Selection: The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

Food: Hummus, pita, veggie tray, cheese, shrimp

Best Wine of the Night: Zinopolis, California Zinfandel, 2007 $17.99

Month: February

I am not sure what I expected from this book - I know that when it was first published and flying off the shelves, I was reluctant to read it, although everyone I knew was raving about it. It seemed like it was going to be depressing, and I wasn't in the market for sad at that time.

So when I read it for book club, I was surprised it was not as depressing and bleak as I had thought it would be. Don't get me wrong, it is still a disturbing topic, the rape and murder of a young girl. But I think Sebold wrote this novel in such a way that the reader is able to distance themselves from the horror of the act, by writing the book from the viewpoint of Susie Salmon as a heavenly narrator.

I loved the heaven aspect, the fact that Susie could watch people, and design her own heaven. And I loved that Holiday was there with her eventually. I know as a pet owner, that I hope my animals will be with me in eternity one day. So I liked that part.

The novel raised many questions in me, and in my book club companions - it was an interesting discussion. All of us felt that the book started out strong, it fizzled out near the end, and seemed to just run out of steam. But perhaps this was Sebold's intention as well, people move on, large life changing events remain large and life changing, but in time they become the past, literally and emotionally, as newer large and life changing events take place. For Susie, that was it for her; she never grew up, moved on, had other experiences, while her friends and family did move on, grow up, lead lives, never forgetting Susie, but dealing with it the best they could. Except for the mom, in my opinion. I was so angry at her! I could not believe a mother could leave her other children like that- it is so completely wrong to me. I felt she was a weak woman, who had to run away from her emotions rather than face them and raise her remaining children. I realize I have no idea of how it would feel to be in her position, and I hope if I have children, I never do. I hope though that if I would eventually be strong for my other kids, even if inside I were struggling and wanting to run away and disappear. Buckley and Lindsey lost not just a sister, but a mother too.

And Mr. Harvey! What a villain to create. I was waiting on the edge of my seat for hard core justice, which never came. I sympathized with the father, who was obsessed with finding evidence that Mr. Harvey was the evil monster that he believed he was, and his desire for Mr. Harvey to get what he deserved. All those girls, all those women, all the families in their lives lost as well. I didn't think what happened to him was enough, but Alyssa pointed out that he didn't matter anymore; the damage had already been done. And maybe that is the case, I can see that. I don't necessarily agree, but I can see the point. I compare this to Joyce Carol Oates' novel Rape: A Love Story, and what happened to the rapists in that story, and I feel that although I thought their punishment was too strong, at least there was a consequence.

Parts of the novel were a little weird, parts were a little obscure; but no matter what this novel made you feel, anger, disgust, wonder, sympathy, sadness - it definitely made you feel something. I don't think it is possible to read The Lovely Bones without leaving with some sort of feeling about it one way or another; it is impossible to be ambivalent.