Thursday, September 27, 2012

The Written Word


It's Autumn and that means many wonderful things, one of which is the start of our Book Club.  Last night was our "first-meet-of-the-year pot luck dinner": tuna double-stuffed potatoes, bok choy salad, shrimp pizza, broccoli/cheese salad, tasty dips and cheesecake bars for dessert.  It's difficult to ease our way from eating to discussing books (as we're all awfully fond of eating!).  But we manage to do it because we are also awfully fond of reading.

We're not a large group:  10 of us in total with an average of 7-8 of us at most bookclub meetings.  We take turns hosting which is a lovely opportunity to use your bookclub friends as willing guinea pigs and prepare some new sweet or savory.  At the first meeting, we discuss members latest favorite books; then everyone gets at least one of their books on the "to read" list for the year.  Very democratic!

Our list so far this year includes the following:


  1. "Balzac & the Little Chinese Seamstress" by Dai Sijie (the read for the next month)
  2. Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern
  3. "Late for Tea at the Deer Palace" by Tamara Chalabi
  4. "Lord God Bird" by Tom Gallant
  5. "The Hatbox Letters" by Beth Powning
  6. "Truth & Beauty" by Ann Patchett


  • What would you recommend?  
  • Are you a member of a bookclub?
  • What's on your night table?


12 comments:

Sharon said...

I am not a member of a bookclub, but am a voracious reader and always thought it would be fun. Right now, I am reading, "Wild" by Cheryl Strayed. Waited a long time for it at the library and so far, it has been worth the wait.

Pamela Gordon said...

I would like to read the book by Beth Powning. I have read another of her books a few years ago about their life on the farm near Sussex. I forget the name of it. I'm reading a mystery book at the moment, nothing deep or distressing. I don't belong to a book club as I'd never get the book read on schedule! lol

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

Your book club combines 2 very good things for sure! I love to read and am not in a book club right now but when I was, I loved the discussions. Some would read things in a different way than I had and it became very interesting sometimes. I've not read any of the books you've listed but will be intersted to see what you think of them. Hope your Thursday is a great one!

My Little Home and Garden said...

I haven't ever joined in with a book club; perhaps I need to change that. Thanks for providing your list. It's always good to hear recommendations and I love the online feature of my local libraries that lets me know if they have them!

Lori E said...

You can't judge a book by its cover but Balzac and The Little Chinese Seamstress would pull me in with that cover picture alone.

Bonnie said...

Sandy, I am a member of a book group. I think this is our sixth year together. We, too, are a small group. Our September read was "Gone Girl". Not one of my favorites, but those are the ones that lead to the best discussions. We meet next month. I'm reading "An American Childhood" Annie Dillard before starting on October's read. I love hearing about other's groups. Thanks for posting your list. Bonnie

Sandra Wilkes said...

I am in a Book Club although I usually rely on the other gals to recommend books! They are more voracious readers than I am. This month we are reading Shoemakers Daughter. Haven't started it yet.

Diana said...

If I were in a book club I just might read more often, especially with such delicious sounding food to go along with the meeting!
I've had the same book on my nightstand for months. I think it's called "My Ten Best Days". So far it's very good but I just haven't picked it back up lately. Too tired at bedtime anymore! Love Di ♥

stampernancy@hotmail.com said...

our group had Donna Morrissey come and read from her new book 'The Deception of Livvy Higgs' She also wrote 'Kit's Law' and others. She was great and happens to be the writer in residence this year at our library. for Oct we are reading 'a complicated kindness' by Miriam Toews. Love book clubs for the interesting people I get to meet and it really opens up my mind to lots of books I would never have read.

Cass @ That Old House said...

Let us know how you like the books -- I need to stock up for the winter.

I love the idea of a "traveling" book club, meeting at members' houses. I'd get my vacuuming done at least once every two months then. :-P

Have a GREAT weekend!
Cass

Mary Bergfeld said...

Your book club sounds like a great way for like-mined friends to meet and eat. I'll wager all have a great time. Have a wonderful day. Blessings...Mary

Pondside said...

Your book club sounds a lot like mine. We're eight women who meet once a month - no stress, no guilt. We all love books and talk for two hours straight (well, we eat and drink too!) about what we've read. Right now I'm reading The Sisters Who Would be Queen by Leanda de Lisle - biography of Lady Jane Grey and her two sisters.

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