Book Club Recap

Hey all,

Thanks Jas for an awesome Wednesday night Book Club. Gourmet grilled cheese and tomato soup was delicious! Good cookies too. I'll get to posting my cookie recipe one of these days soon.

The unanimous vote for the next book to read is The Slap! Originally put up by Kristin to read a month back. I'm excited to read this one as I've already picked it up and the first chapter I read was very entertaining.

We didn't finish the topic of next meeting...Amber...what works for you for hosting? Should we squeeze one in in the next few weeks end of April/early May? Up to you lady!

Enjoy the book ladies! Spring is in the air...reading and relaxing outdoors is just around the corner...

March book club meeting held in April!

Okay the votes are in - most of voted and we will be holding book club at my (Jasmine's) house on Wednesday April 14th at 6:00. What do you think of homemade tomato soup and fancy grilled cheese sandwhich and cookies? Does anyone hate this idea? I have heard of some people hating tomatoe's but I find this unbelievable!

"'The secret to the beautiful orange color of this chunky soup I created is the mix of garden-fresh yellow tomatoes, red plum tomatoes and carrots"

"A Fancy Snadwich for a quick meal. Cream cheese is blended with Mayonnaise and shredded cheese, the grilled between slices of French Bread."

I haven't started Shadow, and I am not sure yet if I am going to. I have finished Wicked and I liked it alot. I give it a 7 (out of 50). I am a very discerning reader.

Should we vote on a new book or as Shannon suggested should this be catch up month or book of your own choice month? I really do want to read "The Slap". One of the reccomends by Kristin at February's book club.

Check out these reviews http://www.abc.net.au/tv/firsttuesday/s2493453.htm

I've Lost My Chutzpah

I'm kinda feeling like this during the day.

Which leads me to this at night.

I can't seem to get back into it ladies. Shadow of the Wind is a highly recommended book with tons of wonderful feedback and I just can't pick it up. I'm at chapter two and haven't the least bit of need to read right now.

I guess maybe there are too many other things going on right now for me. Reno's in the basement, visits from family, baby shopping, knitting and HELLO - it's spring which means there are hours of planning to do for the yard and garden. Feeling a little antsy that I won't finish anything in time.

Maybe I just need a break from reading a book a month. The pressure to get a book done so fast right now is daunting and then I just don't pick it up at all.

I say that and then I'm extremely sad because I know that if I step down from this wonderful book club, I won't see you lovelies anymore. However; taking a spot when I'm not in the reading mood is not going to benefit the group either.

Am I super shitty for thinking of stepping down? Does anyone even still read this blog?

February but really March Book

I hear the brunch at Miss Horne's was absolutely delicious! Sad that I missed it. I wanted to post the new book for y'all just in case some have forgotten.

Shannon's pick and your vote for the February Book is:

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

I am definitely looking forward to picking this one up. I truly missed reading wicked and had I known then what I know now, I would have bought it right after the trip and breezed through it.

I'll pop out today and pick this baby up. I'm told that some/most of you are going to try to finish reading Wicked because it's so very good!

We're off to Edmonton this weekend for our nephew's 3rd birthday party. Can't believe that he's already 3! Love this little guy. He is the reason that Chris changed his mind about having a family so I'm going to pick him up something extra special today. Like chocolate and jelly beans special!

What are you all up to for the weekend? It's been so gorgeous out. I don't know about you but I feel WAY better when I drive to work and home in the light! For me, that's definitely a sign of spring.

Ciao bella's.

Beach Reading

K - Speaking of horror. I couldn't find Wicked before I left on vacation. I scoured 3 different airports with no luck.

I did however, find 3 excellent reads that I'd like to recommend. I was able to focus my extra time on reading and I loved every minute of it.

The first book that I cracked was Bird in Hand. A VERY easy read with a pretty decent story line. I breezed through it because it was the perfect beach read in every way. No dip in the ocean made me forget the storyline and I easily came back to it after a day out and about. What I didn't like was there was no real depth to it. No part that made me really think. I'm rating this book a 3.5 out of 5.

The second book that I had along was Lucky by the one and only Alice Sebold. After reading Lovely Bones and Almost Moon, I needed to go farther with Miss Alice and read her life memoir. While still chilling, I found Lucky a much easier read compared to Almost Moon. Lovely Bones didn't bother me either so I'd be interested to hear which of the three you all thought was the darkest. I LOVED this one and rate is a very strong 4.5 out of 5.

My last book was Still Alice by Lisa Genova. I picked this one up on a whim after not loving Guernsey Potato. I couldn't have been happier with this pick. Wow. I saved the very best until last. I love how that happens. It drew me in and kept me there well until the last page. Like Alice in this book, Chris's grandmother Alice suffers from Dementia and Alzheimer's disease. I wonder if that link made this book even better for me. I loved how it was written from her perspective, often re-living events over again just as an Alzheimer's patient would. It made me laugh and made me cry. I found myself telling Chris about the book even when he stopped listening. WOW.

5 out of 5. It could possibly be my new favorite book.

I finished Still Alice with 3 days left to go on our vacation. I didn't have a backup so I picked up a trashy mystery novel in a grocery store in Barbados. I can't remember the title, but I must finish it. It's actually pretty good. I was really hesitant on buying it but I just couldn't go 3 full beach days and 2 flights without a book.

I can't wait to hear about Wicked. Would love to borrow it from one of you one day.

Can't wait to see you ladies again.

Ciao

Horror

*tap tap* Is this thing on?

Are you ladies all reading the book? I haven't heard a peep from any one of you about it, and I gotta say I'm getting a little nervous...

I'm really enjoying Wicked. A lot.