Hello ladies -
We've planned a few books to read next year, so here ya go!
January - The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg (*Lynnette)
February - Heaven is Here by Stephanie Nielson (*Christine)
March - The Host by Stephenie Meyer (*Catherine)
April - Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (*Amber)
Let me know if you have a book you think we'd like to read and if you'd be willing to host sometime this year.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Books mentioned in December
Here are the books that were mentioned last night ... I missed last November's book club so let me know if any of you took notes!
Jacob T. Marley by R. William Bennett
Baby Lit Board Books
King Peggy by Peggielene Bartels and Eleanor Herman
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
The Dressmaker of Khair Khana by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon
Finding Oz by Evan I. Schwartz
The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trent Lee Stewart
Heaven is Here by Stephanie Nielson
Jacob T. Marley by R. William Bennett
Baby Lit Board Books
King Peggy by Peggielene Bartels and Eleanor Herman
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
The Dressmaker of Khair Khana by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon
Finding Oz by Evan I. Schwartz
The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trent Lee Stewart
Heaven is Here by Stephanie Nielson
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Books mentioned in June
- Falling to Heaven by James Ferrell (Deseret Book)
- Heaven is here: an incredible story of hope, triumph, and everyday joy by Stephanie Nielson (Nie Nie Dialogues)
- Legacy by James A. Michener
- Moloka'i by Alan Brennert
- The Peacegiver by James Ferrell (Deseret Book)
- Prayers for Sale by Sandra Dallas
- The Quilt that Walked to Golden by Sandra Dallas
- The spirit catches you and you fall down by Anne Fadiman
- These is my words by Nancy Turner
- The Wishing Trees by John Shors
Leave a comment if I missed any!
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Books mentioned March - May
You can't go to book club without hearing more book recommendations - I try to keep a record of everything mentioned. Let me know if I missed anything. And I sure do apologize for just now posting these!
March's Book Club
Debbie Weitzell's second book, Ora's Quest, has been published and can be purchased at Booklocker.com.
Summary of the book:
Ora is a young woman
with a longing for more. She leaves the little forest village of Dynora
under the watchful care of the mystic Alya to seek her calling in life.
Though she feels she has prepared for the journey, she soon finds
herself pitted against nature in deadly struggles. She is also
introduced to a people and a way of life that she never dreamed existed.
Unfortunately, with this discovery comes a threat that could destroy
everything.
April's Book Club
- A lot of people suggested listening to Mere Christianity because it is such a heavy read.
- Debbi W. found a good summary of the book here.
- Lynnette mentioned a movie about C.S. Lewis - Shadowlands - though unfortunately, the library doesn't carry this one.
- Book about a Jewish Women's group (Brittany or Janean did you remember the title of this one?) - Updated: The Ladies Auxiliary by Tova Moris
- Tucson Meet Yourself: October 12-14, 2012
May's Book Club
- (Kind of) Sequels to The Giver by Lois Lowry: Gathering Blue & Messenger
- One More River by Lynn Reid Banks (not available at our library)
- Forever Liesl by Jean A.S. Strauss
- Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman trilogy by Pamela Aidan (Pride & Prejudice from Darcy's point of view)
- Book 1: An assembly such as this
- Book 2: Duty and desire
- Book 3: These three remain
- The Man Who Loved Jane Austen by Sally Smith O'Rourke
- Book Crawler app (for iPhone and iPad)
Friday, February 3, 2012
2012 Book Club Schedule
*Updated May 2
September - Fairy tales from around the world (Janean S.)
October - ? (Krista S.)
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Books mentioned in January
Hey ladies!
Here's a list of the books that were mentioned last night.
Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns
Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith
Eat Cake by Jeanne Ray
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
I am number four by Pittacus Lore
Ida B by Katherine Hannigan
Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25 by Richard Paul Evans
The Princess and the Hound by Mette Ivie Harrison
The Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio: How My Mother Raised 10 kids on 25 words or less by Terri Ryan
Romancing Miss Bronte by Juliet Gael
Room by Emma Donaghue
Step-Ball-Change by Jeanne Ray
The author Emily Watts was also mentioned (an LDS author).
Here's a list of the books that were mentioned last night.
Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns
Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith
Eat Cake by Jeanne Ray
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
I am number four by Pittacus Lore
Ida B by Katherine Hannigan
Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25 by Richard Paul Evans
The Princess and the Hound by Mette Ivie Harrison
The Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio: How My Mother Raised 10 kids on 25 words or less by Terri Ryan
Romancing Miss Bronte by Juliet Gael
Room by Emma Donaghue
Step-Ball-Change by Jeanne Ray
The author Emily Watts was also mentioned (an LDS author).
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Books mentioned @ December Book Club
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
Eats, Shoots and Leaves by Lynne Truss
Embraced by the Light by Betty Eadie
Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
Prey by Michael Crichton
The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester
A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg
Sorcery and Cecelia, or, The enchanted chocolate pot: being the correspondence of two young ladies by Patricia C. Wrede* and Caroline Stevermer
The Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner (The Thief, The Queen of Attolia, The King of Attolia, A Conspiracy of Kings)
(*Lynnette mentioned that Patricia Wrede has a new western fantasy series that is good - Across the Great Barrier?)
Eats, Shoots and Leaves by Lynne Truss
Embraced by the Light by Betty Eadie
Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
Prey by Michael Crichton
The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester
A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg
Sorcery and Cecelia, or, The enchanted chocolate pot: being the correspondence of two young ladies by Patricia C. Wrede* and Caroline Stevermer
The Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner (The Thief, The Queen of Attolia, The King of Attolia, A Conspiracy of Kings)
(*Lynnette mentioned that Patricia Wrede has a new western fantasy series that is good - Across the Great Barrier?)
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
December Book Club
Hey all -
Thanks to a great book club last month hosted by Brittany!
Our book for December will be
Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn
hosted by Sherida
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
at 8 p.m.
Summary of the book
Ella Minnow Pea
is a girl living happily on the fictional island of Nollop off the
coast of South Carolina. Nollop was named after Nevin Nollop, author of
the immortal pangram, "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog." Now
Ella finds herself acting to
save her friends, family, and fellow citizens from the encroaching
totalitarianism of the island?s Council, which has banned the use of
certain letters of the alphabet as they fall from a memorial statue of
Nevin Nollop. As the letters progressively drop from the statue they
also disappear from the novel. The result is both a hilarious and moving
story of one girl?s fight for freedom of expression, as well as a
linguistic tour de force sure to delight word lovers everywhere.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Books, etc. mentioned at our Sept book club
Did you know that our very own Debbi Weitzell is a published author!?
How cool is that.
Check out her book:
Also check out her blog
---
Other books mentioned/recommended
Blue Castle by Lucy Maude Montgomery (read a free version here)
Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster
Ella Minnow Pea: a novel in letters by Mark Dunn
Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Mama's Bank Account by Kathryn Forbes
Matched by Ally Condie
The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins
Mrs. de Winter ("sequel" to Rebecca) by Susan Hill
My cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier
Sweetness at the bottom of the pie by Alan Bradley
A Train to Potevka by Mike Ramsdell
Movies mentioned
The Magic of Ordinary Days (Hallmark)
Websites mentioned
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
The Graveyard Book
Hey all -
Thanks to a great book club last night hosted by Michelle!
Our book for October will be
hosted by Brittany C.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
8 p.m.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
8 p.m.
She's good at throwing Halloween-y parties :)
Summary of The Graveyard Book:
Nobody Owens is a normal boy, except that he has been raised by ghosts and other denizens of the graveyard.
This book won the Newbery Medal in 2009.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Book Club lives again!
Hey ladies!
Let's get Book Club started up again!
Our next book club will be
Tuesday, September 27 @ 8 p.m.
at the home of Michelle P.
We will be discussing the book
Let's get Book Club started up again!
Our next book club will be
Tuesday, September 27 @ 8 p.m.
at the home of Michelle P.
We will be discussing the book
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford
*The Pima County Public Library offers 4 different options for this book: the regular copy, the large print copy, an electronic copy and an audio download.
Hope to see many of you there!
*The Pima County Public Library offers 4 different options for this book: the regular copy, the large print copy, an electronic copy and an audio download.
Hope to see many of you there!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
2010 Books
February 23 @ Dana's
Peace Like a River by Leif Enger
March 25 @ Christine's
The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt
April 29 @ Lindsay's (7:30 p.m.)
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Societyby Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows
May 25 @ Michelle's (7:30 p.m.)
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer
June 10 @ Sherida's
A Conspiracy of Kings (#4 in The Thief Series) by Megan Whalen Turner
September 22 @ Megan's
Come share your favorite books!
October 28 @ Jen's (8 pm)
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
November 18 @ Amber T.'s (8 pm)
The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
December 9 @ 8 p.m. @ Christine's (8 pm)
Your favorite Christmas books!
(Children's picture books, etc.)
Friday, December 10, 2010
Christmas book recommendations
I think everyone who attended will agree that we had a great night last night sharing all of our favorite Christmas books! Thanks for hosting, Christine!
There were a LOT of books shared, so I hope I got them all written down... please let me know if I missed any or if you have more to add.
Also for your convenience, I've attached links to the Pima County Library System (if they owned it) or to Amazon, Deseret Book, etc.
Enjoy!
And finally, here are some great blog links with Christmas book lists
(mostly "25 Days of Christmas Books")
that I've rounded up.
I'm sure there are loads more out there.
(mostly "25 Days of Christmas Books")
that I've rounded up.
I'm sure there are loads more out there.
Monday, November 29, 2010
The Help Discussion Questions
1. Who was your favorite character? Why?
2. What do you think motivated Hilly? On the one hand she is terribly cruel to Aibileen and her own help, as well as to Skeeter once she realizes that she can’t control her. Yet she’s a wonderful mother. Do you think that one can be a good mother but, at the same time, a deeply flawed person?
3. Like Hilly, Skeeter’s mother is a prime example of someone deeply flawed yet somewhat sympathetic. She seems to care for Skeeter— and she also seems to have very real feelings for Constantine. Yet the ultimatum she gives to Constantine is untenable; and most of her interaction with Skeeter is critical. Do you think Skeeter’s mother is a sympathetic or unsympathetic character? Why?
4. How much of a person’s character would you say is shaped by the times in which they live?
5. Did it bother you that Skeeter is willing to overlook so many of Stuart’s faults so that she can get married, and that it’s not until he literally gets up and walks away that the engagement falls apart?
6. Do you believe that Minny was justified in her distrust of white people?
7. Do you think that had Aibileen stayed working for Miss Elizabeth, that Mae Mobley would have grown up to be racist like her mother? Do you think racism is inherent, or taught?
8. From the perspective of a twenty-first century reader, the hairshellac system that Skeeter undergoes seems ludicrous. Yet women still alter their looks in rather peculiar ways as the definition of “beauty” changes with the times. Looking back on your past, what’s the most ridiculous beauty regimen you ever underwent?
9. The author manages to paint Aibileen with a quiet grace and an aura of wisdom about her. How do you think she does this?
10. Do you think there are still vestiges of racism in relationships where people of color work for people who are white?
Thanks for hosting, Jen! Questions from here.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
September book suggestions, etc.
What a great turnout tonight!
Thanks to everyone who showed up despite my very uncomfortable chairs :)
We have books picked out for the rest of this year so make sure you check out our schedule in the right hand column. We're quite excited about December!
I tried to write down all of the books people recommended tonight (along with their library link), so enjoy!
The Only Alien on the Planet (by Kristen Randle)
Breaking Rank (by Kristen Randle)
Hannah's List (by Debbie Macomber)
The History of Love (by Nicole Krauss)
The Dark is Rising series (by Susan Cooper)
Pastwatch: The Redemption of Christopher Columbus (by Orson Scott Card)
The Ender's Game (by Orson Scott Card)
The Ender's Shadow (by Orson Scott Card) *everyone recommends reading this one AFTER The Ender's Game
The Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner
The Belgariad series by David Eddings (Book 1: The Pawn of Prophecy)
Half broke horses: a true-life novel by Jeannette Wall
The Birds' Christmas Carol by Kate Douglas Wiggin
...
Good website mentioned (thanks Elena): www.kids-in-mind.com
...
Recipes
Mint Brownies
(I am SURE this recipe can be lightened up and still taste good...
I just wasn't brave enough to try it this time)
2 c softened margarine/butter
4 c sugar
8 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
3 1/2 c flour
1 1/3 c cocoa powder
2 tsp salt
2 c chopped nuts (optional)
Mint Frosting:
3/4 c softened margarine
1/3 c milk
1 Tbs mint flavoring (or 8 drops peppermint oil)
6 c powdered sugar
green food coloring
Chocolate frosting:
1/2 c margarine/butter
2 c chocolate chips (12 oz bag)
Cream together 2 cups softened margarine/butter, 4 cups sugar, eggs and vanilla. Add flour, cocoa powder, salt and chopped nuts; mix well. Spread into an ungreased 11 x 15 sheet cake pan; bake at 350 for 35 minutes. Cool in a freezer for 20 minutes. Spread mint frosting on cool brownies. Cool again in freezer for 20 minutes. Spread on chocolate frosting.
(I've also posted a few more recipes prepared or mentioned in months past.)
(I've also posted a few more recipes prepared or mentioned in months past.)
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Opening Social
I didn't think we could pick a book and have everyone read it in time for this month but I thought it'd be fun just to get together and share good books that we've read recently (or perhaps long ago) to get things going. So plan on meeting at my house on Wednesday, September 22 @ 7 p.m. Hope to see you there!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
June recipes
Lynnette shared this recipe with us last week so here it is for everyone.
Roasted Broccoli with Lemon
From EatingWell.com
Maybe you've never considered cooking broccoli this way, but roasting yields surprisingly good results. The heat concentrates the flavors and caramelizes the natural sugars. A touch of olive oil gives it a crispy, delicious finish.
Makes 4 servings, 1 cup each
Ingredients:
4 cups broccoli florets
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
¼ teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper
Lemon wedges
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 450°F.
2. Toss broccoli with oil, salt and pepper. Place on a large baking sheet (not air-insulated) and roast until the broccoli is tender and blackened on the bottom, 10 to 12 minutes. Serve immediately, with lemon wedges.
Nutrition Information
Per serving:
54 calories
4 g fat (1 g sat, 3 g mono)
0 mg cholesterol
4 g carbohydrate
2 g protein
2 g fiber
165 mg sodium
240 mg potassium
Nutrition bonus:
Vitamin C (120% daily value)
Vitamin A (45% dv)
0 Carbohydrate Servings
Exchanges:
1 vegetable
1 fat
Maybe you've never considered cooking broccoli this way, but roasting yields surprisingly good results. The heat concentrates the flavors and caramelizes the natural sugars. A touch of olive oil gives it a crispy, delicious finish.
Makes 4 servings, 1 cup each
Ingredients:
4 cups broccoli florets
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
¼ teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper
Lemon wedges
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 450°F.
2. Toss broccoli with oil, salt and pepper. Place on a large baking sheet (not air-insulated) and roast until the broccoli is tender and blackened on the bottom, 10 to 12 minutes. Serve immediately, with lemon wedges.
Nutrition Information
Per serving:
54 calories
4 g fat (1 g sat, 3 g mono)
0 mg cholesterol
4 g carbohydrate
2 g protein
2 g fiber
165 mg sodium
240 mg potassium
Nutrition bonus:
Vitamin C (120% daily value)
Vitamin A (45% dv)
0 Carbohydrate Servings
Exchanges:
1 vegetable
1 fat
Friday, June 11, 2010
Book suggestions
I try to take note of the books people suggest at book club so here's what I've compiled so far. I've also tried to give credit to who suggested the book... hopefully my memory is correct! As always, let me know if you have more to suggest.
- Seven Miracles that Saved America by Chris Stewart (Valerie S.)
- Deception Point by Dan Brown (Vien)
- Stieg Larsson's series (The Girl with A Dragon Tattoo and The Girl Who Played with Fire) (Vien)
- Unlikely Heroes by Ron Carter (Laura H.)
- Lady of Milkweed Manor by Julie Klassen (Lindsay)
- Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier (Lynnette)
- Sorcery and Cecelia, or the enchanted chocolate pot by Patricia C. Wrede (Lynnette)
- Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede (Lynnette) 39 Clues by multiple authors
- The President's Lady: a novel about Rachel and Andrew Jackson by Irving Stone (Michelle)
- The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery (Lynnette)
- Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling (Lynnette)
- Summers at Castle Auburn by Sharon Shinn (Lynnette)
- The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot (Lynnette)
- Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See (Sherida)
Friday, May 28, 2010
May recipes
Michelle had such yummy food at our book club the other tonight and I asked for her recipes.
I figured I'd better share them!
Black Bean and Corn Salsa
(I just kind of dumped stuff in, so I'm not sure of amounts. Here's my best guess)
1 can black beans
1 can corn (or fresh corn if you've got it)
3 tomatoes, diced
2 tomatillos, diced (I happened to have them this time, but I've made it lots of times without)
4-5 green onions, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
bunch of cilantro, chopped
4-5 drops chipotle flavored Tabasco (or more)
Mix it all together and let it chill before serving.
...
Fruit Pizza
Crust: 1 pkg refrigerated sugar cookie dough
Press into 12 in. pizza pan or 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 for 16 to 20 minutes. Let cool completely before adding sauce.
Sauce: 1 8oz pkg cream cheese
1/2 cup white sugar
2 tsp vanilla
Mix well and spread over cooled crust. (I didn't use all of it, maybe 2/3 or so)
Top with strawberries, kiwi, pineapple, mandarin oranges, or whatever else you like.
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind discussion questions
1. Could you imagine living without electricity? What would your life be like? Describe William's life and compare it to American teenagers and even your own.
2. How did the villagers compensate for not having electricity, telephones, or most of the modern conveniences we take for granted?
3. What is the role of magic in the story? What about education? Contrast the two. Is there room for both in a culture? What about education and religion? How do the two impact each other? How did William's religion influence his outlook?
4. What did electricity and the creation of the windmill mean for William, his family, and his village? What might his accomplishment mean for the world?
5. What motivates people like William to attempt the unthinkable? How would you describe him to someone who's never heard of his achievement?
6. Compare William to his father and to his mother. How are they alike? How did his parents shape William's outlook?
7. Imagine what a handful of Williams with some encouragement and financial backing from government and private sources might accomplish. Offer some ideas.
8. Malawi is an extremely poor nation. What are the causes of this poverty and what exacerbates it? How might these causes and influences be overcome? How has the West—think of organizations like the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, run by Americans and Europeans—helped to contribute to nations like Malawi's troubles?
9. William writes of the corruption, greed, nonexistent services, and lack of empathy that turned the drought into a disaster for average people like him and his family. Can you see any similarities with our own culture, both past and present? Think about the American Depression. How did that compare to Malawi's drought?
10. William was desperate to stay in school but could not because of money. Think about American students. Why do you think with all the opportunities for schooling, students are disinterested in learning? In your opinion, what accounts for the differences between William and his American counterparts?
11. Many Americans criticize public schools and some even question the need for them. Others argue that money doesn't matter when it comes to education. How does William's experience address our own debates on the subject? Think about his school, and compare it to American schools. Might William's life be different if he had access to education without having to pay? How so?
Questions found here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)