First time posting -- wish me luck!
Ratings from last meeting, on The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao:
Maria-9
Ellyn-6
Leigh-4
Liz-didn't read it
Nans-withholding rating until she's done
Andrea-5.5
Michelle-didn't read it
Melissa-5
Lori-2
Comments ranged from "like a snake crawling though glass" to "couldn't put it down," so we're all over the place!
Monday, March 11, 2013
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
May Book
For May, the book selection is:
The Art Forger ; A Novel, by Barbara Shapiro
It is a 2012 release, but there are currently 12 of 93 copies available through CWMARS. I don't expect any trouble getting our hands on this book over the next couple of months!
The Art Forger ; A Novel, by Barbara Shapiro
It is a 2012 release, but there are currently 12 of 93 copies available through CWMARS. I don't expect any trouble getting our hands on this book over the next couple of months!
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
August Book
I'm way ahead of schedule and have chosen my book for my next turn which I believe will be August, so here's the heads up. :)
Sandman Slim
by Richard Kadrey
Sandman Slim
by Richard Kadrey
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Galway Bay by Mary Pat Kelly
February 2013
Discussion
In general everyone liked the book. Melissa read it in 2 days and rated it 9! The ratings ran from 5.5 to 9 and the average was 7.125.
We all enjoyed the first part of the book that was set in Ireland. There was a noticeable difference in the pace of the story between the Ireland/Michael story and the Chicago/Patrick story. Michele thought the author should have actually split the story into two separate books. The second half had a lot less detail than the first, even though it covered many more years. Sometimes things were a little jarring, like when Honora’s brother’s children show up with Patrick.
We wanted to hear more about the romance of Honora and Patrick. Melissa wanted a naked man to emerge from the sea. Lori thought the descriptive writing made you feel you were there.
We learned a bit about history. Wow, the English truly hated the Irish and wanted them to die! Chicago was really involved in the Civil War. Irish soldiers from the north and south had to fight each other, but hoped to reunite after the war and invade Canada.
Description
In a hidden Ireland where fishermen and tenant farmers find solace in their ancient faith, songs, stories, and communal celebrations, young Honora Keeley and Michael Kelly wed and start a family. Because they and their countrymen must sell both their catch and their crops to pay exorbitant rents, potatoes have become their only staple food. But when blight destroys the potatoes three times in four years, a callous government and uncaring landlords turn a natural disaster into The Great Starvation that will kill one million. Honora and Michael vow their children will live. The family joins two million other Irish refugees--victims saving themselves--in the emigration from Ireland. Danger and hardship await them in America. Honora, her unconventional sister Máire, and their seven sons help transform Chicago from a frontier town to the "City of the Century." The boys go on to fight in the Civil War and enlist in the cause of Ireland's freedom. Spanning six generations and filled with joy, sadness, and heroism, GALWAY BAY sheds brilliant light on the ancestors of today's forty-four million Irish Americans--and is a universal story you will never forget.
Discussion
In general everyone liked the book. Melissa read it in 2 days and rated it 9! The ratings ran from 5.5 to 9 and the average was 7.125.
We all enjoyed the first part of the book that was set in Ireland. There was a noticeable difference in the pace of the story between the Ireland/Michael story and the Chicago/Patrick story. Michele thought the author should have actually split the story into two separate books. The second half had a lot less detail than the first, even though it covered many more years. Sometimes things were a little jarring, like when Honora’s brother’s children show up with Patrick.
We wanted to hear more about the romance of Honora and Patrick. Melissa wanted a naked man to emerge from the sea. Lori thought the descriptive writing made you feel you were there.
We learned a bit about history. Wow, the English truly hated the Irish and wanted them to die! Chicago was really involved in the Civil War. Irish soldiers from the north and south had to fight each other, but hoped to reunite after the war and invade Canada.
Description
In a hidden Ireland where fishermen and tenant farmers find solace in their ancient faith, songs, stories, and communal celebrations, young Honora Keeley and Michael Kelly wed and start a family. Because they and their countrymen must sell both their catch and their crops to pay exorbitant rents, potatoes have become their only staple food. But when blight destroys the potatoes three times in four years, a callous government and uncaring landlords turn a natural disaster into The Great Starvation that will kill one million. Honora and Michael vow their children will live. The family joins two million other Irish refugees--victims saving themselves--in the emigration from Ireland. Danger and hardship await them in America. Honora, her unconventional sister Máire, and their seven sons help transform Chicago from a frontier town to the "City of the Century." The boys go on to fight in the Civil War and enlist in the cause of Ireland's freedom. Spanning six generations and filled with joy, sadness, and heroism, GALWAY BAY sheds brilliant light on the ancestors of today's forty-four million Irish Americans--and is a universal story you will never forget.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Friday, January 11, 2013
Next Books
Upcoming Months
· Februray Book: “Galway Bay” by Mary Pat Kelly (chosen by Andrea) – Meeting Thursday, Feb 7
· March Book: “The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao” by Junot Diaz (chosen by Ellyn) – Meeting Thursday, March 7
· April Book: TBD (chosen by Leigh)
When It Happens To You
Book Discussion
· In all, members gave the book favorable reviews stating it to be a quick and interesting read.
· We liked seeing the different points of view from different characters and how they tied together.
· Some would have liked a few more chapters on other characters (Milo, Theresa) and most of us were interested in knowing more about Oliver/Olivia.
· We discussed how you never know what’s going on in other people’s lives or what their situations are – we haven’t walked in their shoes.
· Ratings averaged a 6.78 out of 10 with Michele ranking it a 5 and all other members giving it a 7.
Recipe
Black Bean Paste
1 1/2 cups cooked black beans (canned are fine) - I used Goya 15.5 oz and drained the liquid
1 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 bunch cilantro (leaves and stalks, about 1 oz), rinsed and chopped
juice of 1 lime
1/4 tsp salt (maybe use less if beans have salt?)
Pulse in a food processor - leave chunky if you like. To make the full recipes quesadillas, spread between 2 corn tortillas, top with a little salsa and sharp cheddar and heat on both sides.
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