I Need a Good Book!

2010 Books

2010-05-17T10:34:00.000-07:00

The 2010 booklist is over in the sidebar now. As you can see we are still looking for some really great reads for the months that are open.

Missed book club

2009-04-24T18:14:00.000-07:00

Hi readers! I was so sorry I couldn't make book club last night. I really wanted to join the discussion of this book. I'm so curious to know what the group thought. The book was so intriguing to me that I couldn't put it down, and, at the same time, I was afraid to read the parts about the murderer when I was home alone (or even when Mike was asleep). And to think it was all true! I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

Lyn

for the book lovers. . .

2009-03-30T16:01:00.001-07:00

i took this for a photography challenge.
thought i would share with you all.
lesli

Hotel at Costco

2009-02-19T15:01:00.000-08:00

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet is currently available at Costco for $13 and change. In case anyone was looking. . .

The Outside World

2009-02-05T11:04:00.000-08:00

I just finished The Outside World by Tova Mirvis. Such a great book. I know it didn't make our list for this year, but if you're looking for a great read along the lines of The Ladies Auxiliary, but different too, you will enjoy this one.

2009 books are here

2009-02-02T10:45:00.001-08:00

We have a new list for 2009. Check the sidebar.

Great little book

2008-09-05T23:06:00.000-07:00

i just read Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry and thought many of you would like it too. I wish I had finished this in time for last month's discussion of youth fiction but i finished it tonight and didn't really want it to end. it needs a sequel!

August Discussion

2008-08-21T15:00:00.000-07:00

The month of August is our Young Adult or Juvenile Fiction reading month. There are so many good titles to choose from in this genre. Stefanie is hosting this month's discussion at her home. Bring your books or the titles and we can hear from everyone.

Also, if there is anyone unable to attend but would still like to contribute comments, please feel free to jot down your comments here on the blog and we will take them to the discussion to share.

Thanks!

Below is a list of titles I have read from this genre in case anyone else wishes to read the same book as someone else in the group:

The View from Saturday by Konigsburg
Hatchet by Paulsen
Incantation by Hoffman
Life as We Knew It by Pfeffer
Speak by Anderson
The School Story by Clements
Esperanza Rising by Ryan
How I Live Now by Rosoff

Garlic Spread for Your Favorite Garlic Bread

2008-05-17T14:12:00.000-07:00

I served this at our April bookclub. The four of us who attended (1 of whom had actually read the book!) loved it.

Gotta Love Garlic Bread:

1 cup mayo
1 cup Parmesan cheese
1 jar Artichockes, crained and chopped
6-8 cloves of garlic, minced
1 cup of grated cheddar cheese

Additional add-ins: green onions, black or green olives, jalapanos, pepperoni.

Mix all together into a paste. Let paste sit for 10 minutes. Spread on favorite bread and back at 350 degrees until bubbly.
I used ciabatta bread!

Enjoy, Lesli

May Reminder

2008-05-15T20:52:00.001-07:00

This month the book is The 13th Tale by Diane Setterfield. Happy reading. Feel free to leave any comments about the book here.

Change of Book for September

2008-04-19T22:38:00.000-07:00

Our book for September was Madonnas of Leningrad but after some discussion we have decided to change the book to Three Cups of Tea. Just take note of this change and we can discuss the change at our next meeting.
Thanks!

Prep for April's book...The Book Thief

2008-03-12T22:06:00.000-07:00

I came across some discussion questions for April's book and thought I would post a link here for anyone interested. You can print them out if you want but you might wait until you have read the book so the questions do not give away the story line.
copy and paste this into a browser window:
http://www.bookbrowse.com/reading_guides/detail/index.cfm?book_number=1755

Antonia

2008-02-14T14:28:00.000-08:00

Hey readers!

I'm just wondering if anybody else has finished the book for this month! I am going through withdrawals!

I LOVED this book!!! I couldn't put it down, yet I didn't want it to end. When I finished it, I went back and read the forward, then I reread the introduction. Now I think I may read "O Pioneers". I didn't get enough. I am lonely for the characters in this book and am longing for more. It left me with a kind of lingering warmth--especially the last section.

This rates as one of my all-time favorite books! Hope you are all enjoying it as much as I did! I'm really feeling cheated that I won't get to attend the discussion, because I'm sure it will be great!

Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Reading, dear friends!
Lyn

happy valentine's day readers!

2008-02-12T22:37:00.000-08:00

photo courtesy of ames2880 http://flickr.com/photos/ames28/2197684899/

Recipes from January's meeting @ Suzy B's home

2008-02-05T21:52:00.000-08:00

Artichoke and Crawfish Soup (you can use 1 lb. medium devined, tail-off shrimp instead of crawfish)

1 bunch green onions, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 stick butter
4 Tbsp. flour
2 cups chicken broth
1 14oz. can artichoke hearts
2 cups heavy cream
1 lb. cleaned crawfish tails (or medium shrimp)
3 dashes of Tabasco sause

Saute onions and garlic in butter until melted. Add flour and blend well. Slowly pour in broth and mix well. Cut artichoke hearts into 4 to 5 pieces and add to mixture. Cook 30 minutes. Add seasonings to taste. If using shrimp, cut into chunks (about 3 pieces per shrimp). Add shrimp and all other ingredients and cook on low heat for 30 minutes. Serves 6.

February's Choice

2008-02-01T00:00:00.000-08:00

In January our bookclub had a great discussion about which books to choose. So many. So little time in a year. I plan to post this year's list on the side bar.------->

But our February read is by Willa Cather: My Antonia

Hope you like the classic for the month. See you in February.

The View from Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg

2008-01-11T23:02:00.000-08:00

I was in the library with my children the other day and I overheard the librarian talking book titles with a fifth grader. Most of the books I knew from my teaching days but there was one I had not known. After the librarian left, I asked the little fifth grade girl to show me where the one book I had not heard of was located. She pulled it out from the line of books and said that it was the one her teacher had used as an example.
The View from Saturday, by E.L. Konigsburg has given me such great joy in reading over the past 3 days. (Yes, it took me 3 days to finish it due to multiple interruptions. I was enjoying it so much that I wanted to savor each page too so I took my time.)
I so enjoyed this little nugget of youth fictional writing. It has wonderful "connections". He makes certain points in each chapter and then finds a way to tie those points together or makes reference to them in a different light later in the text.
I just enjoyed it thoroughly. Looking for an easy read and one that is written well--
this one is just my level!

Lone Survivor Follow-Up

2007-12-31T21:12:00.000-08:00

I read it. I finished it over Christmas. Actually there were parts I just could not put the book down! This is a read for those who know going into it that it is a story of the US Navy SEALs and thus there will be some language. However, I for one am really intolerant of language almost always but for some reason in this book I was able to enjoy it regardless. This is also a read for those going into to it who realize that it is not written by a super accomplished, poetic writer. In fact there were times where I think Luttrell (the author) repeats himself. But I didn't read it for the writing style. I read it for the story of his mission in Afghanistan and his rescue. Both reasons were well worth it. So unbelievable. Really. I think it would prove to be a good book for discussion. My brother (who had recommended it to me) and I got into such a good conversation after I finished it! That was one of my favorite parts of my Christmas break--the seriously thoughtful discussion that ensued with my brother and eventually other family members simply because of this book. It will lead one to review what they think about our troops vs. our politicians and safety.

looking for books for the new year

2007-11-28T18:39:00.001-08:00

our bookclub is taking december off as a month to hunt for new books to read in 2008. if you have any suggestions...feel free to leave a comment to this post and shoot us your recommended read and author. we would love it. thanks.

here's to lots of reading in december to find great books for 2008.

Lone Survivor

2007-11-20T20:52:00.000-08:00

Anyone read this one?

Three Cups of Tea

2007-11-20T20:51:00.000-08:00

Anyone read this book?

Book Titles

2007-11-18T19:49:00.000-08:00

To the right is a list of the books our bookclub has read. Ladies, if I have missed any titles, please feel free to add the ones I have overlooked. This list can be helpful to any of our friends or family who ask for a list of books we have read. Feel free to tell others you know who would be interested in browsing our list about this blog. Here's to the increase of titles on the right hand column!

Little Tree

2007-11-16T12:55:00.000-08:00

Okay, since I'm not likely to make the discussion of this book--childbirth and all--I wanted to bring up a few things for you to discuss in my absence.
Did anyone wait around for the conflict? And feel disappointed at what little there eventually was? Or am I just sick and twisted?
What are the thoughts on this book in view of Oprah pulling it from her list based on the prevailing information that it was written by someone who was really a KKK member and not the idealistic feel good Cherokee he claimed to be? Or is it still worthwhile on its face and Oprah is a little knee jerky after the Million Pieces incident earlier this year?
I liked the discussions of body mind and spirit mind. It seemed to me almost a "natural man" sort of an idea. Did anyone get something else out of it? I also enjoyed the listening and the value placed on listening in ways that the white world seems ill-equipped to do. This seemed to go hand in hand nicely with the body mind v. spirit mind.
See you soon--Ang

And so it begins...

2007-11-15T23:24:00.000-08:00

With our last book of the year (Education of Little Tree), I thought it might be fun to revamp our bookclub blog. And so it begins. Here is a place we can just share titles and comments on books we are reading--on our bookclub list and off. Each month we will list our bookclub book title and maybe a little commentary for those who wish to write.

This blog will be open to the public so we can direct our friends and family to view the growing list of books we have read. For this reason, be mindful of writing any specific information about our group (i.e. discussion meeting places, member's full names and/or contact information). We will keep our email list as a place to share detailed information about discussions.

This blog is simply a public gathering spot for us to keep track of the books we have read and share any others we would like to know more about or recommend.

So enjoy! Check here off and on. Don't be afraid to post what you think about our current selection. Post helpful background, historical or other useful information that might give us better understanding of a book selection. And don't forget to post about books you are engaged in outside of our monthly choices.

Have fun. Enjoy.