Welcome!

To our new Member Barbara Ruder!

Meeting at Jan's November 2007

Hi Ladies,
I tried to fool you and change my address, but you all found me anyway! That's OK, it was a fun evening, complete with a number of other botched date/location confessions. It made me feel much better. I enjoyed sharing our thoughts about our book Mayflower, by Nathaniel Philbrick. Most thought that this book belonged in the same league as two of our other favorite history based books--John Adams and Team of Rivals. Barbara Ruder remarked that if more history was written like this, kids would enjoy it a lot more. We agreed that it was well researched, as evidenced by the huge "notes" and bibliography sections. The characterizations were very detailed, especially those of Benjamin Church and Miles Standish. Our very own Sara Bostock is indeed related to Benjamin Church's grandfather! The one negative consensus was that the details of the many wars in the second half of the book were too lengthy and confusing.

Our December meeting will be at The Mandarin Gourmet in Palo Alto on Wednesday, December 5th, beginning at 6:30. RSVP to Laurie Hills. The December assignment is to read something "Christmasy", your choice. Be sure to bring a festively wrapped book that you have enjoyed, complete with a short note describing why you enjoyed it and consider it a special book. Choose a book that has not been a part of our recent book club selection.
January meeting--home of Kathy Spieker (book--Barbara Kingsolver's Animal, Vegetable, Miracle)
February meeting--home of Bev Guichard
March meeting--home of Barb Reis
October meeting (2008) has been claimed by Barbara Ruder who will organize tables at the CAR Author Luncheon

Suggested books:

Away, by Amy Bloom
World Without End, by Ken Follet
My Sister's Keeper, by Jody Picoult
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, by J.K.Rowling

Suggested movies/plays/TV:

Golda's Balcony--Theatreworks
American Gangster
Dan In Real Time
Bee Movie (although Marcia says it's "totally anatomically incorrect"!)
KQED American Experience biographies
It Happened One Night (or current movie) at Stanford Theatre

Road trip: The Charles Schultz Museum, Santa Rosa

Have a very Happy Thanksgiving, everyone,
Jan

Keplers and October (and kilts flying in BC)

Here are the October notes as well as Keplers newsletter for November!

October notes 2007

Hi Ladies,

We had a cozy group of 7 at October’s meeting to discuss Mark Haddon’s second novel A Spot of Bother…a pleasurable read with good jokes and funny situations. While we agreed the novel read more like a tv script for a soap opera, the book was entertaining and the writing sprinkled with British-isms was comical. The plot revolves around George’s recent retirement, his wife’s infidelity and the family’s response to daughter Katie’s proposed wedding to Ray.

Although the story was a bit dark at times (George’s fear of dying, his drinking and pill-taking habits, his self mutilation when he thinks he has cancer), this romantic comedy keeps you laughing. I wouldn’t call this book literature, but we all enjoyed a diversion from our usual fare.

As in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, Haddon plunges into the heart and head of his characters. We felt the characters were very realistic, and the story an honest representation of family social dynamics. “Any of us might be George Hall or his wife, Jean, or his adult children, Katie and Jamie. We have felt what they feel, thought their thoughts, glimpsed their faces in our own bathroom mirrors.” Mark Haddon’s genius at understanding the strengths and frailties of human nature may be a result of driving a school bus and teaching In a school for autistic children early on in his career. Whatever the reason – he is great at exposing the triumphs and pitfalls of relationships that bind families together.

Unlike The Curious Incident… with the very endearing autistic15-year old Christopher, it was difficult to like the characters in this novel – George, a hypochondriac father emotionally detached from just about everyone and losing his mind, daughter Katie unsure of herself, Jean a mother bored with her marriage to George and having an extramarital affair with her husband’s associate David, Jamie not at all comfortable with his homosexuality, etc. – what a cast of pathetic players! This book made you want to laugh and/or cry.


November’s book: Mayflower by Nathaniel Philbrick


Next meeting Wednesday, November 14 @ 7:30pm at:
Jan Kopf’s home
276 Atherton Ave.
Atherton, CA 94027
Phone: 650-327-5354 or Tahoe14605@aol.com

Kepler's News, November 2007

Highlights:
· Join Kepler's and 75 other independent bookstores across the nation to view a film celebrating the final work of David Halberstam: The Coldest Winter.
· Kepler's launches its Adult Writing Workshop on November 4 at 4:00 p.m.
· We are thrilled to present an Author à la Carte dinner with bad boy chef, Anthony Bourdain. Don't miss out - seats are going fast!
· We are proud to host two authors whose books have generated some recent controversy: Fake Steve Jobs, of blogdom fame, and David Michaelis with his biography of Charles Schulz.
· Don't miss Naomi Wolf discussing her fascinating book The End of America.
· Kepler's and the Commonwealth Club of Silicon Valley present Tom Perkins and Chris Matthews in November.
· Customer favorites Clive Cussler, Judith Thurman and Ellen Litman will appear this month.
· Acclaimed science writer Fritjof Capra will discuss his book about Leonardo da Vinci.
· Acterra will host "Greening Your Holidays" at Kepler's.
· Be sure to check out the entire list of November events below.
· To receive the Youth and Children's department e-newsblast, please contact Angela Kroner-Grafmiller, angelak@keplers.com

November Programs and Events
· We look forward to seeing you at these exciting programs and events. All of these events are free and take place at Kepler's unless otherwise noted. For more information on Kepler's events:
http://keplers.com/?sec=programs-events&subsec=upcoming-events
· A special note on Book Signings: Your purchase of the author's book at Kepler's allows us to bring these events to our store. Thank you for your support!

Attention Kepler's members! Stay tuned for information about our Members-Only Chocolate and Champagne holiday shopping party on December 2nd.

Win a Kepler's Shopping Spree!

This holiday season, for every $10 worth of Kepler's gift cards you purchase, win a chance to win a $300 shopping spree at Kepler's Bookstore! The more gift cards you buy, the better your chances to win. Offer good 11/23-12/24.

Author Events:

Fake Steve Jobs (a.k.a. Forbes reporter Dan Lyons)
Options: The Secret Life of Steve Jobs: A Parody
Thursday, November 1, 7:30 p.m.

Unlike the off-the-cuff ramblings on his blog, Options is a well-plotted satire that imagines Apple's chief executive grappling with his real-life stock option backdating troubles and getting help, and bad advice, from friends like Larry Ellison, Bono and
Al Gore.

NOTE: There will be a party after the reading, open to the public, at the British Banker's Club (BBC). If you plan to attend, please notify the host by emailing fakestevefriends@coghead.com.

Adult Writing Workshop
Sunday, November 4, 4:00 p.m.

Due to popular demand, Kepler's has formed a Writing Group. This will be the first meeting.

Juan de Recacoechea and Adrian Althoff (translator)
American Visa
Monday, November 5, 7:30 p.m.

A best-seller in its own country, this novel about a man desperate to get into America is one of the few Bolivian novels to be translated into English, and especially with the present furor about immigration, it is sure to spark interest.

Acterra Hosts "Greening Your Holidays"
Wednesday, November 7, 7:00 p.m.

Join Cecile Andrews, author of Slow Is Beautiful: New Visions of Community, Leisure and Joie de Vivre, in a discussion about enjoying the holidays without overextending your wallet, your carbon footprint, or your sanity. Find out about Global Exchange fair trade and their November 18th "Buy Local Day."

Jonah Lehrer
Proust Was a Neuroscientist
Thursday, November 8, 7:30 p.m.

From a rising journalist and Rhodes scholar, a dazzling look at how five writers, a painter, a composer, and a chef discovered the truth about the mind. This is the ultimate tale of art trumping science. An ingenious blend of biography, criticism, and first-rate science writing, Proust Was a Neuroscientist urges science to listen more closely to art, for the right minds can combine the best of both to brilliant effect.

David Michaelis
Schulz and Peanuts
Friday, November 9, 7:30 p.m.

Charles M. Schulz (1922 - 2000), the most widely syndicated and beloved cartoonist of all time, is also one of the most misunderstood figures in American culture. Now, acclaimed biographer David Michaelis gives us the first full-length biography of Schulz.

Page Stegner (Editor)
The Selected Letters of Wallace Stegner
Monday, November 12, 7:30 p.m.

As an author, historian, teacher, and environmentalist, Wallace Stegner influenced countless prominent individuals during his long life. Showcasing some of those relationships, these letters (written between 1933 and 1993) cover a broad range of topics, including literature, history, conservation, and Stanford.
Wallace Stegner's son Page is a novelist, historian, essayist, and a professor emeritus of American Literature at UC Santa Cruz.

Clive Cussler
The Chase

Tuesday, November 13, 7:30 p.m.
For decades, Clive Cussler has been delighting readers with novels filled with suspense, action, and sheer audacity. Now he does it again, in one of the wildest, most entertaining historical thrillers in years.

Tom Perkins
Valley Boy: The Education of Tom Perkins
Wednesday, November 14, 7:00 p.m.

Crowne Plaza Cabana, 4290 El Camino Real, Palo Alto

For reservations and more information, go to http://www.commonwealthclub.org/sv

A revealing memoir from Tom Perkins-renowned venture capitalist, Silicon Valley and biotechnology pioneer, and one of America's most successful businessmen.

Naomi Wolf
The End of America: A Letter of Warning to a Young Patriot
Wednesday, November 14, 7:30 p.m.

An impassioned call to action to Americans from all walks of life to restore the checks and balances and our time-honored protections against abuses of power outlined by our Founding Fathers.

Fritjof Capra
The Science of Leonardo: Inside the Mind of the Great Genius of the Renaissance
Thursday, November 15, 7:30 p.m.

Leonardo da Vinci's pioneering scientific work was virtually unknown during his lifetime. Now acclaimed scientist and bestselling author Fritjof Capra reveals that Leonardo was in many ways the unacknowledged "father of modern science."

Chris Matthews
Life's a Campaign: What Politics Has Taught Me about Friendship, Rivalry, Reputation and Success
Thursday, November 15, 7:45 a.m.

Check-In/Breakfast: 7:45 a.m. - Program: 8:15 a.m. - Book Signing: 9:15 a.m.
Location: SRI International Events Center, 333 Ravenswood Ave., Menlo Park
For reservations and more information, go to http://www.commonwealthclub.org/sv

Out of the Book Film Event featuring David Halberstam
The Coldest Winter: America and the Korean War
Sunday, November 18, 2:00 p.m.

Kepler's will join nearly 75 independent booksellers around America in celebrating the final, great work of David Halberstam: The Coldest Winter: America and the Korean War.

Come see the film, stay for a lively discussion, and enjoy light refreshments.


Author à la Carte Event with Anthony Bourdain ONLY A FEW SEATS LEFT!
No Reservations: Around the World on an Empty Stomach
Tuesday, November 20, 6:30 p.m.

Location: Left Bank Brasserie, 635 Santa Cruz Avenue, Menlo Park

Single ticket $110/Couple $180.
To reserve your seat, call (650-324-4231) or visit Kepler's, or purchase your ticket online at www.keplers.com.

Judith Thurman
Cleopatra's Nose: 39 Varieties of Desire
Tuesday, November 27, 7:30 p.m.

Cleopatra's Nose is an exuberant gathering of essays and profiles representing twenty years of Judith Thurman's celebrated writing, particularly her fascination with human vanity, femininity, and "women's work"-from haute couture to literature to commanding empires.

Ellen Litman
The Last Chicken in America
Wednesday, November 28, 7:30 p.m.

Twelve linked, wryly humorous stories about an unforgettable cast of Russian-Jewish immigrants trying to assimilate in a new world.

Paula Kamen
Finding Iris Chang: Friendship, Ambition, and the Loss of an Extraordinary Mind
Thursday, November 29, 7:30 p.m.

A friend and confidante reveals the private Iris Chang - international celebrity author and indomitable personality - and attempts to understand Chang's terrible psychological decline.

Kepler's is continuing to book many more exciting programs. Please visit www.keplers.com for frequent updates.

The Kepler's Youth and Children's Department newsletter offers information on new and recommended books, as well as exciting upcoming family events. To receive this newsletter, please contact Angela Kroner-Grafmiller: angelak@keplers.com

For details about Youth and Children's Department events, please click here.

For an up-to-date event list and calendar, please visit our Programs and Events page at www.keplers.com.

Kepler's Books
1010 El Camino Real
Menlo Park, CA 94025
650-324-4321

May 2007 Meeting at Jay's Home

Hi everyone,

Thank you to everyone who braved the country lanes of Woodside to come to my house a couple weeks ago. We had a warm and joyful time together discussing The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, among other things. And special thanks to Mary Ann who updated the list of books we’ve read over the years – you are wonderful to keep this impressive list up-to-date!

The fundamental issue underlying our discussion of The Glass Castle was whether Jeannette’s parents were mentally ill or rebels who chose to live without responsibility. We all agreed that the children’s relative normalcy (well, maybe not all of them) was a remarkable feat.

Our next meeting is on Wednesday, June 13 at Marcia’s house. Please RSVP to her. As stated in the earlier email below, we are reading The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.

Some of the “other” discussions were about how to give advice to our adult children…
“I know you’ve already thought of this…”
Complain to yourself on voicemail and listen to it before saying something negative aloud to your children
“That’s wonderful/that’s terrible…let me know how it turns out.”

And then there was Laurie’s statement, “Someday I’m going to write a book about cowboys.” Our girl Laurie never ceases to be amazing!

Some book suggestions for the group:
Walking on Eggshells by Janes Isay
To Hell with All That by Caitlin Flanagan about stay-at-home vs. working moms
The Witch of Cologne, good summer reading
Grace (Eventually) by Annie Lamott
Eat Pray Love
Born on a Blue Day (memoir by an autistic savant)

Movie suggestions:
The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio (on DVD now)
Black Book about the Dutch Resistance in WWII
The Namesake

Congratulations to all the graduates in our midst!

Xxoo Jay

The Cantor Spring Schedule

May 2007
View Web Version of this Newsletter

Pick of the Month
Exhibitions
Events
Members Only

PICK OF THE MONTH
Opens May 30
Art of Being Tuareg: Sahara Nomads in a Modern World
This is the first major U.S. exhibition to examine Tuareg art, culture, and history, and it features more than 200 objects, including jewelry, clothing, leatherwork, and other distinctive items of these semi-nomadic North African people of Niger, Mali, and Algeria.




EXHIBITIONS
On view through July 1
Bare Witness: Photographs by Gordon Parks
A retrospective of the works of the late Gordon Parks featuring 73 works chosen specifically by Parks as examples of his most potent imagery.






Last chance - on view through May 6
In the American West: Photographs by Richard Avedon
20th-Anniversary tour ends at the Cantor Arts Center. View 63 of Avedon's oversized images of working-class Westerners.






Now open
Living Traditions: Arts of the America
Exciting commissions of new Northwest Coast art go on view, in addition to important Mesoamerican works that compliment the Center's unique collection.






EVENTS
Films
Thurs, May 17, 6 pm
Half Past Autumn: The Life and Works of Gordon Parks
2000, 90 minutes
Directed by Craig Rice, narrated by Alfre Woodard
Introduction by Jan Krawitz, Documentary Film Studies, Art and Art History, Stanford University
Cantor Arts Center Auditorium

Fri, May 18, 7 pm
Shaft
1971, 100 minutes
Directed by Gordon Parks
Introduction by Scott Bukatman, Film and Media Studies, Art and Art History, Stanford University
Annenberg Auditorium, Cummings Art Building

Lectures
Thurs, May 10, 5:30 pm
Art History Lecture Series
Rachael DeLue, Assistant Professor of Art and Archaeology, Princeton University
Cummings Art Building, Room 2, cosponsored by Cantor Arts Center

Performances
Thurs, May 10 and 24, 6 pm
Dance Performance
Step on the Grass
Stanford Dance Division, South Lawn
Faculty Choice
Wed, May 16, ongoing at various times through May 23
Janice Ross presents People-Various
Cantor Arts Center lobby

Free Tours
- Introducing the Cantor Arts Center: Saturdays and Sundays, 1 pm
- Rodin collection: Wednesdays at 2 pm, Saturdays at 11:30, Sundays at 3 pm
- Outdoor Sculpture Walk: First Sunday of each month at 2 pm. Meet at the Main Quad entrance where The Oval meets Serra Street
- New Guinea Sculpture Garden: Third Sunday of the Month, 2 pm. Meet on the corner of Santa Teresa and Lomita Drive

Bookstore banter

Kepler's does have a snazzy sign 'Ladies of the Bookclub' up with our book Glass Castle along with at least fifty other book clubs. It is interesting to see all the bookclub readings. As I picked up the book, a woman (complete stranger) told me what she thought of it and we got into a great conversation...to the point a salesperson came over and told us she LOVED listening to us trading info ...it was why she loved being a bookseller. It made me realize how much more personal it is to go to a bookshop once in awhile. Anyway...just a thought . Cheers!

Left Bank/ Keplers event

Jan Kopf and I are going!
Anyone who enjoys the shenanigans of Gordon Ramsey and the bad boys of British Cuisine...will enjoy this. Marco Pierre White was the youngest chef ever to receive three Michlin stars and the first Brit! He is a legend...and a odd character. It should make for a lively evening.
Contact Keplers online if you want to join Jan and I.

barb

Left Bank Menlo Park and Kepler's Books Present
Authors A La Carte

A Kepler's Chef/Author Series at Left Bank Brasserie
635 Santa Cruz Avenue, Menlo Park CA

Join us for a special dinner with one of the world's most decorated chefs:
Marco Pierre White
Author of
"The Devil in the Kitchen"

Thursday, May 10th, 6:30 P.M.
$95 per person / $165 per couple

What do Mario Batali, Heston Blumenthal, and Gordon Ramsay have in common?
They all survived tours of duty in the kitchen of Marco Pierre White.
In the U.K., White's brilliant cooking and high wattage antics have made him a legend. He is the first British chef and the youngest chef anywhere to win three Michelin stars. A chain smoking, pot throwing, multiple married culinary genius whose fierce devotion to food and restaurants has been the only constant in a life of tabloid-ready turmoil.

******

Tickets must be purchased in advance through Kepler's Books.
The price includes meal, wine, tax, and a signed copy of
"The Devil in the Kitchen"

Space is limited so purchase your tickets now by calling Kepler's Books at 650-324-4321 or visit www.keplers.com for complete ticket ordering and additional information.

Remember to click on keplers link on left column !

April 2007 meeting at Karens

Hi everyone:

First of all I would like to convey that the next meeting will be at Jay's house on May 9th,

PLEASE LET HER KNOW IF YOU WILL ATTEND IN A TIMELY FASHION....

The book we will be reading: The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls. If you mention our Book Club's name at Kepler's you will get a discount, since Barbara Beattie has registered us there.

Marcia and Jan both highly recommended the book and Marcia mentioned she had heard the author speak at a fundraiser for the Shelter Network. She was very impressed by this author who donated a lot of her time for discussion and presence at a cocktail party.

About our meeting last night: 8 of us were present and it was a nice cozy evening by a fire due to the cold weather. The conversation was lively and it seemed a lot of subjects were discussed.

Regarding the book, only 2 of us had finished the book. 3 only read 1/3 and the other 3 maybe 1/2. These last 6 had not liked the book and quit reading it.... I, for one, felt I had to finish it because I was holding the meeting. I did not care for the book and found the main character a pathetic individual, and all the different happenings, coups, romances, suicides, convoluted.

Unfortunately my printers both had problems (it may have been my computor) and I couldn't print out any reviews. In general the reviews had been somewhat favorable.

The people who liked the book and had recommended it, Laurie and Barbara (Reiss) were not present. Jane who could not attend at the last minute also liked the book. Barbara Beattie had not liked the book.

My suggestion is that we could have another short discusssion at the next Book CLub to hear the viewpoints from the others who could not be here last night. Here is a belated note from Barbara Reiss:

Barbara Reis
Hi Karen,
Forgive the late notice that I will not be in attendance this month. I was
trying to make it work. It is my inlaws' 61st wedding anniversary. I wasn't
sure the family was celebrating since we had a large party last year for
them, but apparently the fun continues...

I am particularly sorry to be unable to attend because I recommended the
book. I hope it is considered worthwhile by the group. Here are some of my
thoughts:

I personally learned a great deal about Turkey as the (not-so-perfect)
bridge between East and West.
I enjoyed the ironic and largely rational Arabic voice.
I'm glad to have never spent time in Kars (means snow in Arabic) where
people seem to have nothing else to do but argue over social and religious
ideologies. Seemingly no one who is even slightly Westernized can breathe
free in this place.
I would have liked more character development. Everyone falls into one of
four categories: secularist, conformist, opportunist or radical Islamist.
Individual identities are not well forged.
I enjoyed follow-up reading on Ataturk and his secular revolution in Arab
society.
Does anyone know the history of the importance of poetry in this culture?

Will miss everyone--and the discussion!
Barb Reis

Recommendations:

Audacity of Hope by Senator Barack Obama
Made in Heaven: Bill Bryson
The Emperor's Children
Him, Her, Him Again, the end of Him, Patricia Mary
What Came Before he Shot Her, Elizabeth George
You're Wearing That? Deborah Tannen
The Lost Painting, Jonathan Harr

movies:

Lives of Others
Namesake

Netflix:
Green Fingers
Water

TV: Planet Earth!!!!on Discovery Channel, Sundays at 8:00 (check tv listings)

Who knows about downloading book on tapes throught the Peninsula Library System?

Find recipes on:

Foodnetwork.com
Epicurious.com
Cooking.com

We also had a brief discussion about Myspace and Facebook.....

This will be it, I am busy this weekend and wanted to get this off immediately. I am sorry if it is a bit short.

Until then, have a great month and enjoy the nice green spring!

Hugs, Karen