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
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