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.

Book Club Recap

Thanks Kristin for a fab Book Club last night! My favourite thing is when all 8 of us are in attendance. More laughter, outrageousness, and stimulating conversation. Of course, could not go without mention the perogie casserole courtesy of K. Shew. So delicious I've told 2 people about what I ate for dinner last night, and it's only 9:00am. Soul food. Mmmmm...

General consensus is that The Outlander was a good book...receiving a 4/5, 3/5, and of course 4/100...

Kristin's Choices for our new book were as diverse as the votes for them:

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2 votes)

Wicked (3 votes)

The Slap (3 votes)

The tie-breaker determined that Wicked is our new book!



Click here for more on the author
Click here or here for more on the book
Click here for more on the Broadway Play


If anyone wants to do some extra-curricular book exchange, for those books that we love, but didn't make Book Club, post here what you have or may be looking for and we can swap at the next meeting! I've got Book of Negroes, Life of Pi, Secret Life of Bees, The Red Tent...and maybe something else you are looking for that I can't remember right now.


Next meeting is tentatively set for around third week in Feb? Brunch styles at Casa de la Tuscany? There may or may not be a brand spankin' new baby in attendance. That is too exciting. Will it be a little Charlze or perhaps a little Crazyhorse?


Have a fabulous 2 week cruise Ms. Bauer! Soak up that sun! Thanks again Kristin. Have a great read ladies, and don't forget to post thoughts here.

Aloha!

I guess it's my turn to choose some books isn't it? And figure out a date for the next meeting. That will all just have to wait until I'm back. Sorry ladies.

I JUST finished the Outlander, and even though it was a tough start, I really liked this book. Enjoyed the whole Frank slide business and Bonny. I'm leaving this book here in Hawaii, as there is a bookshelf with used books in my condo, and I'm going to take one and start reading today. Trouble is I can't decide which. Please help:

The Devil and Miss Prym, by Paulo Coelho

Three Cups of Tea

Nineteen Minutes, by Jodi Piccoult

Skylight Confessions by Alice Hoffman

Hope you are all well.

Love you all. Happy New Year

K

Happy 2010 Book Club

Hello Ladies!

Happy New Year! Hope you all had a fabulous one. I think this year will be eventful for our little Book Club. I'm excited to share all the ups and downs with all of you.

How was your Holiday reading? Thoughts on Outlander? This book started out wonderfully for me and I perhaps made what I now consider to be a cardinal reading sin - I broke pace with Outlander (so not to finish so fast) and picked up Book of Negroes. Well, Book of Negroes was such a good read to me that Outlander lost it's sparkle. I have really struggled to get back into it.

Up next this month is a pick from Kristin, or we could call her Kalikine Kekileki, the fab girl who brought us Middlesex and Choke. What will she pick next??

Looking forward to hearing your holiday tales at our next gathering...
Kalikine Kunohama