Whoa, the next book club meeting is less than two weeks away. And this weekend we need to 'spring forward' to enact Daylight Savings Time. So that chops out another hour.
But there is still time, I think, to read this month's selection, The Tall Pines Polka, by Lorna Landvik. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 22nd, 6:30 p.m. at the library. Be sure to mark your calendars.
Also, for those who like to plan ahead: April's book will be A Private History of Awe, by Scott Russell Sanders. Meeting for discussing this book will be on April 26th.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Monday, February 28, 2011
Readers Weigh In on "Wives"
Emails were flying fast and furious after a reminder was sent out for last Tuesday's meeting. Several book club members were forwarding their regrets of not being able to attend, but having read the book, their messages included comments about it.
The book chosen for discussion in February was The Wives of Henry Oades, by Johanna Moran. The book tells the story of Henry, who moves his family to a distant land when he is relocated by his job. Turmoil in that country separates him from his family, and in time he becomes convinced they are dead. He moves back to California, meets a woman and remarries. His first wife and children, still alive, escape and return to California. Henry then becomes husband and father to two wives and all of their children. The story is based on a true case of bigamy.
Char said: "Loved the book . . historical fiction always a pleasure to read . . a real page-turner for sure . . loved the strong, compassionate women . . Margaret and Nancy were amazing, were they not?"
Diane said: "I loved the book . . especially Margaret, who made the most sacrifices in my mind. The book stayed with me all week after reading it. I wonder what I would do in this situation?"
Kelly said: " Loved the book. Loved the women. At first I wasn't crazy about Nan, but then she grew on me as she showed her compassion to Margaret!"
Cora said: "I did enjoy 'Wives . .', to think it is based on fact is remarkable!"
Ginger said: "I enjoyed the book, but I was so frustrated with Henry. I'm not sure what I expected him to do, but it felt to me as though he abandoned Meg emotionally, which didn't set well with me at all."
Learn more about the author at her web site, www.johannamoran.com
The book chosen for discussion in February was The Wives of Henry Oades, by Johanna Moran. The book tells the story of Henry, who moves his family to a distant land when he is relocated by his job. Turmoil in that country separates him from his family, and in time he becomes convinced they are dead. He moves back to California, meets a woman and remarries. His first wife and children, still alive, escape and return to California. Henry then becomes husband and father to two wives and all of their children. The story is based on a true case of bigamy.
Char said: "Loved the book . . historical fiction always a pleasure to read . . a real page-turner for sure . . loved the strong, compassionate women . . Margaret and Nancy were amazing, were they not?"
Diane said: "I loved the book . . especially Margaret, who made the most sacrifices in my mind. The book stayed with me all week after reading it. I wonder what I would do in this situation?"
Kelly said: " Loved the book. Loved the women. At first I wasn't crazy about Nan, but then she grew on me as she showed her compassion to Margaret!"
Cora said: "I did enjoy 'Wives . .', to think it is based on fact is remarkable!"
Ginger said: "I enjoyed the book, but I was so frustrated with Henry. I'm not sure what I expected him to do, but it felt to me as though he abandoned Meg emotionally, which didn't set well with me at all."
Learn more about the author at her web site, www.johannamoran.com
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
See the U.S.A. . . .
January's book, Queen of the Road, by Doreen Orion, met with mixed reviews by members of the book club. Ten of the members loved it, two didn't, and two others were on the fence.
The book tells the true story of a woman who helps fulfill her husband's dream of traveling the country. They do so, with their pets, in a full size bus, covering 47 states and encountering numerous adventures.
An excerpt of the book can be found on the author's web site, (www.doreenorion.com). The writing is personal and humorous, and descriptions of their travels are enjoyable to read. Doreen also maintains a blog on her web site, posts photos of the places they've been, and gives away free, signed bookplates to those who ask. (It could be fun to request one just to see what postmark they're mailed from.)
For those who want to know more about the author, Women on Writing include an interview with Doreen Orion on their web site, (www.wow-womenonwriting.com/33-FE3-DoreenOrion.html).
Another interview (made by email exchange), can be found on www.liveworkdream.com/2009/02/08/queen-of-the-road-drink-it-in/. The live-work-dream web site is from another married couple who sold everything they had to take to the road. They travel and work with their pets from the comfort of their own RV, and supply helpful travel information from their site.
The book tells the true story of a woman who helps fulfill her husband's dream of traveling the country. They do so, with their pets, in a full size bus, covering 47 states and encountering numerous adventures.
An excerpt of the book can be found on the author's web site, (www.doreenorion.com). The writing is personal and humorous, and descriptions of their travels are enjoyable to read. Doreen also maintains a blog on her web site, posts photos of the places they've been, and gives away free, signed bookplates to those who ask. (It could be fun to request one just to see what postmark they're mailed from.)
For those who want to know more about the author, Women on Writing include an interview with Doreen Orion on their web site, (www.wow-womenonwriting.com/33-FE3-DoreenOrion.html).
Another interview (made by email exchange), can be found on www.liveworkdream.com/2009/02/08/queen-of-the-road-drink-it-in/. The live-work-dream web site is from another married couple who sold everything they had to take to the road. They travel and work with their pets from the comfort of their own RV, and supply helpful travel information from their site.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Meeting Announcement
Happy New Year to Everyone!
The next meeting of the book club will be on Tuesday, January 25th at 6:30 p.m. We will be getting together at the library as usual.
This month's book is Queen of the Road, by Doreen Orion. Freda will be the discussion leader.
We'll also be having an annual book exchange at this meeting. Bring in books you've read (that you own of course), and trade them for some new ones. The more books that people bring in, the more there will be to choose from. What better way is there to spend these snowy days than with an armload of recommended reading???
The next meeting of the book club will be on Tuesday, January 25th at 6:30 p.m. We will be getting together at the library as usual.
This month's book is Queen of the Road, by Doreen Orion. Freda will be the discussion leader.
We'll also be having an annual book exchange at this meeting. Bring in books you've read (that you own of course), and trade them for some new ones. The more books that people bring in, the more there will be to choose from. What better way is there to spend these snowy days than with an armload of recommended reading???
Friday, December 17, 2010
We're Number One!
Results of the 2010 U.S. Census are being released and provide some very interesting findings.
Here are some facts:
Cheers to those hardworking teachers, librarians, parents and grandparents who help instill the love of learning. Kudos to those who continue to read and to learn, and to those who offer others encouragement and support.
See the December 15th article of this news from the Pioneer Press at: http://www.twincities.com/ci_16860230?IADID,
or view the American Community Survey on the Census Bureau's web site at: http://www.census.gov/acs/www/ .
Here are some facts:
- The great state of Minnesota ranks No. 1 in high school graduation rates. 91% of residents aged 25 or older have the minimum of a high school degree.
- Our own Washington County ranks No. 1 within the state, boasting a rate of 96% of residents obtaining that diploma.
- Washington County residents be proud! We are ranked at being the 15th highest in achieving high school diploma status out of more than 3,000 counties nationwide.
Cheers to those hardworking teachers, librarians, parents and grandparents who help instill the love of learning. Kudos to those who continue to read and to learn, and to those who offer others encouragement and support.
See the December 15th article of this news from the Pioneer Press at: http://www.twincities.com/ci_16860230?IADID,
or view the American Community Survey on the Census Bureau's web site at: http://www.census.gov/acs/www/ .
Monday, November 29, 2010
Holiday News
With Thanksgiving just behind us, the book club choice for the month of December is You Better Not Cry: Stories for Christmas, by Augusten Burroughs.
There are two changes to the meeting for December. Note the change in date to Tuesday, December 14th. Kelly has again offered to host our group for the annual holiday meeting. We will meet at her home at 6:30. Please bring an appetizer or treat to share.
The November meeting was held to plan the reading list for the upcoming year. For those thinking ahead, (or while shopping find some really good coupons from bookstores), here are the selections for the first few months:
More snow is on the way! Stay warm and happy reading!
There are two changes to the meeting for December. Note the change in date to Tuesday, December 14th. Kelly has again offered to host our group for the annual holiday meeting. We will meet at her home at 6:30. Please bring an appetizer or treat to share.
The November meeting was held to plan the reading list for the upcoming year. For those thinking ahead, (or while shopping find some really good coupons from bookstores), here are the selections for the first few months:
- January - Queen of the Road, by Doreen Orion
- February - Wives of Henry Oades, by Johanna Moran
- March - The Tall Pines Polka, by Lorna Landvik
- April - A Private History of Awe, by Scott Russell Sanders
More snow is on the way! Stay warm and happy reading!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
A Piece of History Comes to Life
Memoirs are a popular form of non-fiction reading. Now there is one that has been one hundred years in the making.
What? How can that be?
Recently published is The Autobiography of Mark Twain, an unedited memoir left by the author, with the strict instructions that it not be published for a century after his death. Born Samuel Langhorne Clemens, Mark Twain died of a heart attack on April 21, 1910, at the age of 74. An excerpt from the book as presented by Newsweek reveals the content contains writings of personal anecdotes and stories of experiences in his life.
A note of interest: Mark Twain's birth coincided with the arrival of Halley's Comet in 1835. Later in his life, it was his expressed desire to "go out with Halley's Comet." His death occurred one day following the comet's return and closest approach to Earth. (See wikipedia for more details.)
What? How can that be?
Recently published is The Autobiography of Mark Twain, an unedited memoir left by the author, with the strict instructions that it not be published for a century after his death. Born Samuel Langhorne Clemens, Mark Twain died of a heart attack on April 21, 1910, at the age of 74. An excerpt from the book as presented by Newsweek reveals the content contains writings of personal anecdotes and stories of experiences in his life.
A note of interest: Mark Twain's birth coincided with the arrival of Halley's Comet in 1835. Later in his life, it was his expressed desire to "go out with Halley's Comet." His death occurred one day following the comet's return and closest approach to Earth. (See wikipedia for more details.)
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