Books read in 2013

January: The Rent Collector by Camron Wright (Frances)

February: Wonder by R.J. Palacio (Michelle and Jeanne)

March: Heaven is Here by Stephanie Nielsen (Becky)

April: Daughters in My Kingdom (Janalee)

May: The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker (Suzanne)

June: The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman (JoLyn)

July: Moon over Manifest by Clare Vanderpoole (Nichole)

August: Preach My Gospel (Stephanie)

September:

October:

November:

December:

Books Read in 2012

January: Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand (Linda and Becky)

February:  Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (Ann)

March: Mount Vernon Love Story by Mary Higgins Clark (Thelma)

April: The Walk by Richard Paul Evans (Heidi)

May: Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell (Jeanne and Michelle)

June: books by and about Temple Grandin (Stephanie)

July: Unwind by Neil Shusterman (Frances)

August:

September: Swimming to Antarctica by Lynne Cox (Heidi Ellerbeck)

October: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot (Kim and Heidi Barker)

November: Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen (Suzanne)

December:

Books Read in 2011

January: shared book recommendations

February: My Stroke of Insight by Jill Bolte Taylor (Michelle and Jeanne)

March: The Long Walk by Slawomir Rawicz (Ann)

April: Kindred Octavia Butler (Stephanie)

May: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon (Jill)

June: Matched by Ally Condie (Kim and Sarah)

July: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen(Thelma)

August: Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua (Chris and Heidi)

September: Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman (Frances)

October: Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford (Becky)

November: Letters from Home by Kristina McMorris (Suzanne)

December: Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand(Linda)

Book Recommendations

Here are the books that were recommended at our January 2011 Book Club:
Thelma:

The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Brady

Jill:

books by Kristin Hannah

Ann:

The Far Pavilions, Shadow of the Moon

Death in the Andamans, and  Death in Kashmir by M.M. Kaye

Mrs. Jeffries Holds the Trump by Emily Brightwell (Mrs. Jeffries series)

JoLyn:

The Bean Trees and Pigs in Heaven by Barbara Kingsolver

Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls

Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson

Louise:

I’m Down by Mishna Wolff

East of Eden by John Steinbeck

Helen:

Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson

Suzanne:

The Angels of Morgan Hill by Donna Van Liere

Books by Victoria Holt

Marissa:

Big Sur by Jack Karouac 

Becky:

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford (read this book if you want to go on a field trip to Seattle to the Panama Hotel!!!)

Michelle:

People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks

Janalee:

The List by Richard Paul Evans

The Christmas Train David Baldacci

The Sunflower by Richard Paul Evans

books by Josi Kilpack:  Devil’s Food Cake, Lemon Torte, Key Lime Pie

Leaning into the Curves by Nancy Anderson and Carrol Hofeling Morris

Stephanie:

Inkheart, Inkspell, Reckless, Inkdeath,  and Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke

The White Ibis (not sure of the author)
An Unlikely Friendship: A Novel of Mary Todd Lincoln and Elizabeth Keckley by Ann Rinaldi

Theodore Boone, Kid Lawyer by John Grisham

The Girl of the Limberlost and  Freckles by Jean Porter Stratton

Books Read in 2010

January: The Sugar Queen (Sarah)

February: The Silent Gift (Ann)

March: The Glass Castle (Thelma)

April: Mrs. Mike (Susie and Stephanie)

May: Hunger Games (Frances)

June: 44 Scotland Street (Nancy and Becky)

July: The Help (Linda)

August: Keeping Faith (Chris and Heidi)

September: Total Money Makeover (Angi)

October: Home to Harmony (Doreen, Kirin and Heidi)

November: Surviving the Applewhites (Janalee and Suzanne)

December: Christmas party and ornament exchange at Heidi's

July Book Club

We had a nice evening at Linda's house discussing The Help. She even served us chocolate pie (that was in no way questionable).

Our next book club will be at Chris's house on August 3. In the past we've met at the church and driven together and started a little earlier in the evening. I'll be out of town then (sniff) so can someone head up the organizing of that?

The book (picked by Heidi) is Keeping Faith by Jodi Picoult.  It is available for a 4 for 3 promotion from Amazon.  I am going out of town on Saturday but I will place an order before I go if you're interested.  The book is $7.99 but we may be able to get them for less.  Let me know by Friday afernoon if you would like one.  I think Heidi and Chris are working on getting some copies otherwise though.

Happy reading!

June Book Club

Thanks Nancy and Becky for hosting book club last night.  I think we all enjoyed 44 Scotland Street.  I love the variety of books we read.

Our next read is The Help by Kathryn Stockett.  It is a very popular, not very available from the library sort of book.  There are a few copies around so we'll try to read fast and pass them.  If you would like to order one from Amazon, let me know by the weekend.  They are $13.72 hardcover from Amazon.  I am not sure if they are at Costco but they might be.

Next book club will be at Linda's house July 6.  On August 3, we'll go to Chris's house.

Happy reading!

Some Recommendations

Last night at Book Club Frances asked if anyone had good recommendations for summer reading.  Book titles started flying and I wrote fast and furiously.  I probably missed some.  I certainly missed who recommended them.  The genre/subject matter/rating is all unknown.

Read at your own risk!

Even though I'd get them at the library, I've linked them all to Amazon.com.  Mostly because Adam showed me how.  I'm so limited in my technological prowess that I have to show off when I can.


Enjoy!  (and let me know if there's a recommendation I missed).

Dragonflight (Dragonriders of Pern) by Anne McCaffrey...first in a large fantasty/sci-fi series

Look Twice by Lisa Scottoline is what I wrote down.  On Amazon I found

Think Twice and Look Again  both by Lisa Scottoline.  You decide.

The Shop on Blossom Street  by Debbie Macomber...the first in a series

Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild (as well as Dancing Shoes, Skating Shoes, Theater Shoes, Party Shoes)  They're perfect for young girls (and their mothers).

Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

book(s) by Catherine Cookson (didn't get the title)
book(s) by Maeve Binchy

Lady of Milkweed Manor  and The Apothecary's Daughter and Silent Governess, The by Julie Klassen

A Golden Age by Tahmima Anam

Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane (Heidi promises it's not as scary as the preview to the movie looks)

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

I know there were Nicholas Sparks books mentioned (I didn't get titles, sorry)

Loving Frank: A Novel by Nancy Horan (about Frank Lloyd Wright)

Winter Garden  and Firefly Lane both by Kristin Hannah

Sorry about what I missed.  That should keep us all busy for awhile though.

 

May 2010

We had a lively discussion about The Hunger Games last night.  Thanks Frances for the great spread of Capitol food and for picking a book we could feel passionate about...whether we liked it or not.  (Also we were split about 50-50 whether we were rooting for Gale or Peeta.)

Our next book is 44 Scotland Street: A 44 Scotland Street Novel by Alexander McCall Smith.  You will be amazed (like I was) that he wrote the The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency.  It is a completely different style of writing.  There are several library copies available so talk to Becky or Nancy if you're interested.  There's sadly not a good Amazon deal on this one.

Linda, you have the book for July so will be presenting it to us on June 1, which is our next meeting.

The next meeting will be at Becky's house.

I look forward to it!!!!

April

We met last night at Stephanie's house and discussed Mrs. Mike.  As always, besides the book, we discussed our own lives and learned from each other.  Wonderful stuff.

Thanks Susie for providing the spring board for our discussion and thanks Stephanie for hosting.

Frances picked our next book Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.  It is not readily available from the library (popular book) and I can't even see any great Amazon deals.  Contact Frances if you need a copy to read and also if you own the book and would be willing to lend it out.

Thanks!

I look forward to next month.

Nancy and Becky have the book for June (to be presented at our next meeting, May 4).

Book Club March 2010

We had few numbers but still a good time.

Thanks to everyone who came to my house last night for book club.

Do you get tired of me telling you how much I love book club?

Becuase I can't help it.

Our new book, picked by Susie, is Mrs. Mike by Benedict and Nancy Freedman.  Susie distributed a few books last night and has a few more on order from the library.

I looked on my trusty Amazon.com and if we get the right combination of people to partake of the 4-for-3 promotion, we can get the books for a whopping $3.62 each.  Let me know if you're interested in that.

Next month, book club is on April 6 at Stephanie's house.

Frances, you have the book next.

Thanks everyone!

(If you still have a library copy of The Glass Castle can you get it to me as soon as possible?  Thanks!)

February Book Club

We had a good discussion and great treats at Ann's house last night.  Thanks Ann!

Our new book is The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls.  I recommended it but have not read it (so that's my disclaimer if it's inappropriate!).  I've heard good things about it and have been wanting to read it for awhile so hopefully we'll enjoy it.

I passed out nine copies last night so everyone should hopefully get a chance to read it.

I look forward to seeing you all at my house on March 1!

Susie and Stephanie have the book for April, Frances for May.

Book Club January 2010

We got our fill of good candy and good conversation last night at Sarah's house.  I loved reading and then discussing The Sugar Queen.

Our new book is by Michael Landon Jr. and Cindy Kelley.  It's called The Silent Gift.  Ann had a few copies last night and has some more on the way.  If you are someone lucky enough to have a King Co. or Everett library card, you may want to look into checking the book out there.

Our next book club will be on February 2 at Ann's house.  (Let's hope the groundhog doesn't see his shadow!  Get it?  February 2?)

Christmas Party 2009

We had our Christmas bash last night at my house.  It was a great time and I appreciate you all coming (and bringing such delicious treats).


Sarah handed out the new book:  The Sugar Queen.  There are extra copies if anyone didn't get one.

Below are some pictures.  I realized there are none of me.  That's fine, because I'm the least photogenic person in the free world but I do want history to know:

I was there.

Kim Bowley, Frances Collinwood, Janalee McKee and Suzanne Vance

Kirin Vreeland, Linda Lamprecht, Heidi Barker and Sarah Williams

Doreen Styler, JoLyn Thompson, Stephanie Johnson, Angi Pascoal, Ann Reynolds and Susie Larson

Frances Collinwood, Janalee McKee, Suzanne Vance and Helen Lawson

Also, I was able to get Ann's Sweet and Sour Sauce recipe for your enjoyment:

3/4 c sugar

1/3 c catsup

1 T soy sauce

1/4 t salt

2/3 c water

Boil together-add this mixture:

1/2 c apple cider vinegar

1/3 c water

3 1/2 T cornstarch

Add to boiling mixture and bring to a boil again stirring constantly until thickened.

Can add pineapple (drained), parboiled carrots and/or green pepper.

Easy dinner:  frozen chicken breasts and sweet and sour sauce.  Put in 9 X 13 pan.  Bake at 350 until chicken is done.  Serve with rice.

Thanks Ann!

Thanks everyone!  I love book club!

Meetings in December and January

The Christmas ornament exchange book club will be held on December 1 at my house.

Bring treats to share and an ornament to exchange.

On January 5 we will hold our first book club of 2010!

It will be at Sarah's house and contrary to what I wrote in a previous email, we will be reading The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen.

Sarah is buying some copies and I think it's available from the library too.

Contact Sarah if you're interested in a book!

2009

Becky Jackson
Escape by Carolyn Jessop

Ann Reynolds
Jinxed by Carol Higgins Clark

Susie Larson
Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale

Kim Bowley
Still Alice by Lisa Genova

Frances Collinwood
Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson

Chris Freeman
Pope Joan by Donna Cross

Stephanie Johnson
A Midsummer’s Night Dream and Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare

Linda Lamprecht
Train to Potevka by Mike Ramsdell

Kirin Vreeland and Doreen Styler
Looking Like the Enemy by Mary Matsuda Gruenewald

Suzanne Vance
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shafer and Annie Barrows

Thelma Davis
Ornament Exchange

2008

Susie Larson
#1 Ladies’s Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith

Stephanie Johnson
Hitch by Jeanette Ingold

Becky Jackson
Lion and the Lamb by Rand H. Packer

Janalee McKee
A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle

Chris Freeman and Heidi Barker
The Eye of the Storm by John H. Groberg

Kirin/Doreen
Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson

Ann Reynolds
Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

Linda Lamprecht
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

Suzanne Vance
The Last Lecture

Frances Collinwood
Robert Frost Poetry

JoLyn Thompson
Blink by Malcolm Gladwell

Sarah Williams
Ornament Exchange

2007

Stephanie Johnson
The Color of Water by James McBride

Becky Jackson
Solitary Blue by Cynthia Voigt

Ann Reynolds
Eat Cake by Jeanne Ray

Kirin Vreeland
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card

Chris Freeman
The Road by Cormac McCarthy

Teresa Baggett
Reader’s Choice

Janalee McKee and Suzanne Vance
The Sugar Camp Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini

Frances Collinwood
Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

Thelma Davis
Where the Heart Is by Billie Letts

Heidi Barker
Ornament Exchange

2006

Ann Reynolds
Nine Coaches Waiting by Mary Stewart

Janalee McKee
Reader’s Choice

Anna Crosby
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

Stephanie Johnson
Ella Enchanted by Gail Levine

Linda Lamprecht
When Broken Glass Floats by Chanrithy Him

Kim Bowley
My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult

Suzanne Vance
Tending Roses by Lisa Wingate

Chris Freeman
Memory Keepers Daughter by Kim Edwards

Frances Collinwood
Star Girl by Jerry Spinelli

Janet Jorgensen and Thelma Davis
Breathing Lessons by Ann Tyler

Heidi Barker
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

Sarah Williams
Book Exchange

2005

Balzac and The Little Chinese Seamstress FC
The Diamond Throne HB
The Hiding Place MS
The Life of Pi SJ
The Secret Life of Bees KB and SW
Galileo's Daughter MT
Vacation
Magnificent Obsession BJ and AR
Persian Pickle Club SV
Peace Like a River JJ and TD
Mandy CF
Christmas Party/ Book Exchange SW