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.