Travelling to "I" countries to Eat, Pray, and Love

Hi ladies,
I am catching up on the review for June 19th, 2008. We held this evening’s discussion at Grandma Margetts’ house, and enjoyed a potluck dinner out on her covered patio. We read Eat, Pray, Love, by Elizabeth Gilbert. This was an interesting lively read. It is a book about Elizabeth’s own experiences. She describes it as “One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia”. She spends a year traveling and living in these three places. In each country she focuses on a specific area of her life. In Italy, she focuses on pleasure…the pleasure of her environment and the pleasure of eating fabulous food. Of course she gains quite a bit of weight as she eats her way through the Italian cuisine. She has just divorced her husband and Italy was a good starting place to find herself, even if she was a bit self-absorbed. She next goes to live in India in an Ashram to study Yoga under a Guru. Her focus now turns to devotion. A tremendous amount of self control had to be learned as she learned to control her mind and became at peace living in very austere conditions. Several in the discussion found this section slow to read. I thought the process of controlling ones thoughts and overcoming weaknesses was very interesting. Her final destination was Indonesia. She met and interacted with a number of people who influenced her, including a man with whom she eventually falls in love. The focus in Indonesia was on balance…an interesting topic that we each address regularly. The book was well-liked. It was noted that it would be great to have an entire year to “find yourself”, especially after a difficult time in your life. Most of us do not have that luxury. I did love Gilbert’s use of metaphor, and her style of writing was very engaging. Many of Gilbert’s insights resonated with our group, and she was able to make us feel as she felt as she embarked on this year of self discovery. In the process, we could question our own thoughts and values and learn more about ourselves in return.
Marylynne Buford

Ridin' that bus....

Hello, book lovers! On May 29 we took a ride to Amy's mother's home to discuss "Riding the Bus with My Sister" by Rachel Simon.

We packed our lunches into styrofoam containers for our ride. Hoagie sandwiches, apples, individual packets of trail mix, baby carrots and Sun Chips were provided for our "meal on the go." We also choose from a variety of delicious flavored waters (and only 5 calories!). Dessert was a cute pound cake bus, with chocolate donut wheels and fresh strawberries. Thanks to Amy and her mom for keeping with the theme of the book.

For the most part, I think everyone enjoyed the book as a whole. There were parts that were frustrating for some readers. Some of us felt the frustration of the family as Beth manipulated everyone around her in order to get her own way. We also could feel her father's frustration and desperation as he struggled to take care of Beth and maintain control over his own life. The comment was also made that Beth could have contributed positively to society but choose not to. The feeling was that if Beth was smart enough to figure out bus schedules, remember drivers birthdays and make bus stops on time, she could have done more with her life. As it was, Beth was content to simply ride the buses. In fact, we all agreed that once she found the buses, her life had meaning and excitement.

We felt that Rachel did an excellent job portraying Beth's speech and mannerisms. It was interesting that Rachel figured out that "I don't kn-oh" had 3 separate meanings for Beth. We also could feel Rachel's frustration with her sister's behavior. And it was interesting to note that Rachel was 40 before she really researched her sister's condition and tried to learn the definition of mental retardation.

We all agreed that Rachel and Beth came from a family with severe dysfunction. Their mother was certainly an interesting woman! There were feelings of anger towards her as well as pity. Her low self-confidence, sadness and overall disappointment with life combined to send her into a downward spiral which eventually ended with her marrying an alcoholic, ex-con. There was redemption for her when all 4 of the children eventually reestablished contact with her after many years.

In the end, Rachel was able to break out of her introverted, lonely life and reach out to others through the experiences gained "riding the buses". She learned much about life from the drivers, many of whom were deeply philosophical about life. Rachel was able to find long-awaited happiness with her former love, Sam, although Beth surely must have been disappointed about not getting her wish: a bus driver for a brother-in-law.

The next book club will be held at Grandma Margett's home on Thursday, June 19.

Happy Reading!
Carma Rasmussen

Shakespearean Festival Planning

It is time to get out the calendars and vote (on the right side of the blog) for the best weekends that you could attend the Shakespearean Festival. Vote for as many weekends that work for you. The weekend with the most votes will win. The anticipation to see Fiddler on the Roof and sit on William's Shakespear's lap is just about killing me!!

Angry Housewives??? Never!!

Dear Book Club Friends:

Thank you for a fantastic evening last week at book club hosted by Wendi Coccimiglio. We enjoyed a wonderful Italian meal including spaghetti and penne pasta with marinara sauce and meatballs, a delicious salad with strawberry dressing, accompanied with crunchy bread and garlic cheese biscuits. Wendi also served a variety of made to order mixed drinks. I had the pomegranate juice blended with ginger ale – delicious! Dessert went right along with the title of the book - bon bons. We enjoyed peanut butter, toffee, and mint ice cream bon bons along with the best brownies of all time. Thank you, Wendi, for the extra effort to make the evening special. She was a wonderful host.

I really enjoyed your perspectives as we discussed Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons. I liked how the book was organized, with each chapter written from the voice of the book club host. While it took a while to learn the distinctions of the characters, I enjoyed how their lives unfolded from each of their points of view. And Faith's letters to her mother in each chapter added was a great thread throughout the book. Many of us were intrigued by the books that were selected for each chapter and why. One of the titles was a favorite of Aunt Leilani’s (Marylynne and Lani’s mother). I really like each character and was interested in how they faced life's challenges over 40 years. I felt the author introduced many issues, but never developed them fully in terms of their scope and implications. I found myself filling in the blanks a lot.

Faith was the daughter of an alcoholic mother who neglected her terribly; her mom died in a car accident for which Faith blames herself. Faith’s adult life was spent covering up her past for fear that those she loved would reject her if they knew. Married to a pilot, she was a model wife and devoted mother of fraternal twins, a boy and a girl. Faith finds the strength to face her past while dealing with the “coming out” of her homosexual son.

Slip is the short, athletic redhead and peace activist. Through her brother, a soldier in Vietnam, we are reminded of the horrors of war and the post traumatic challenges soldiers face after coming home.

Merit is the daughter of a minister who disapproves of her moving away from home and pursuing a college education. She meets and marries Eric, a doctor, and has four girls - the third is delivered at the book club meeting. Merit endures a physically and emotionally abusive husband, keeping his ever escalating abusive behavior secret from everyone until the Angry Housewives witness an episode after a party. We found her coping strategy, hiding notes and other items in her hair, to be very interesting. She eventually meets Mr. Paradise (very tacky name for a guy who wears a leisure suit) who encourages her musical talent. At age 43 she gets pregnant and marries Mr. Paradise.

Audrey is our buxom beauty who loves showing off her large breasts and wearing mini skirts. I loved her spunky personality. One of my favorite parts of the book was when she got Faith and Slip to join with her to “flash” the nosey neighbor from the tree house. Audrey has a gift of premonitions, and uses this ability throughout the book. She divorces her cheating husband, faces a near death car accident with one of her sons, and becomes close friends with her gay neighbor, Grant, who eventually joins the book club.

Kari is the oldest in the group and enjoys sewing and crafts. Early on, we learn that Kari has experienced tragedy in her life. Her first adopted child that was returned to the birthmother, and she is mourning the loss of her husband. Kari experiences prejudice and racism when she agrees to adopt her niece’s baby, Julia, who is part black. I was very impressed with Kari’s capacity to love and nurture Julia.

Through all of their trials, the Angry Housewives’ friendship really binds them together and helps them pull through. Thanks to all of you for your friendship to me. We have a great group of women in our book club too.

Great Beauty-Terrible Beauty

Hello Everyone,

We had a wonderful, quiet evening at Andrea's house Thursday night. Andrea served hummus with crackers and vegetables as an appetizer, followed by a marvelously tender roast with potatoes, carrots and green beans. Along side this was Yorkshire Pudding (many of us have made this under the name of a popover puff or German pancakes, but hers was made with the grease from the roast instead of bu tter.) The Yorkshire Pudding was served with either gravy or jam, both of which were very tasty. For dessert, Andrea served an English Trifle, with layers of yellow cake, rasberries, blueberries and other fruit as well as whipped cream and delicious tapioca pudding. It was wonderful. Thank you so much, Andrea, for such a delicious meal.

I led the discussion on Libba Bray's "A Great and Terrible Beauty." In the discussion, it was pointed out that the great and terrible beauty is power and how the girls in the book really didn't use the power that they were given for good. They really didn't learn or grow much from the experiences that they had, and didn't try to do anything with the magic they had except tease and torture people who had been unkind to them.

We also discussed girls and the issues that teenagers and adults run into. In the book, each of the 4 m ain gi rls had insecurities that they faced, but didn't handle very well. For example, Pippa was terrified over getting engaged to Mr. Bumble, and when she tells Felicity, Felicity is so consumed by the fact that her father hasn't come to visit her for Asembly Day, that she totally brushes off Pippa, who is supposedly her best friend. Each of us has insecuirities, and we discussed how sometimes, teenagers and even adult women will act or react a certain (negative)way based on their own feelings of insecurity.

Overall, I think that this book was hard for several of the people who came, to relate to, and therefore they didn't enjoy it as much as some of the others we have read in the past. Thank you to everyone that came and for the great company and discussion.


--Janeeece

One, Two, Three... let's have a cup of tea.

We had a great time at book club last week. Janeece served delicious baked potato and lentil soups in bread bowls, along with a salad. Many of us conserved our bowls until we had tried both soups! She also served various herbal teas to transport us to Pakistan. Most tried innocent flavors like lemon, apple cinnamon, and citrus. I wanted something more authentic, and since we were lacking yak butter tea, I tried Marylynne's offering of raspberry leaf tea. I decided it is an acquired taste. For dessert, Janeece spoiled us with yummy slices of a giant chocolate chip cookie topped with chocolate pudding (she is the Pampered Chef queen).

I reviewed the book "Three Cups of Tea" by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. I was so inspired by Mortenson's story the first time I read it last year, and was no less endeared to his work and Pakistan's villagers this time through. It is truly an example of how one person can really make a difference in the world.

We discussed what made Mortenson so successful at helping the Pakistani people. He seems so humble and sincerely loves and respects the Muslim people. We decided that a more devout Christian might have less success in that region. Everyone also felt that if you didn't drink tea, it would be a major problem (I'd be in trouble)! Some questioned whether it was right to have to act like a Muslim to be accepted, when we are expected to be tolerant of everyone. Although it does seem to be a double standard, it is inspiring to hear of an American taking that higher road and instilling an appreciation of at least one of us in that region.

With the resurgence of the Taliban's power and instability in Pakistan and Afghanistan, the Central Asia Institute's efforts to bring education to the unserved children seem even more important. We agreed that the numbers of madrassas is alarming. I read an article telling Mortenson's account of the events following Benazir Bhutto's assassination in Pakistan. I had been wondering if the unrest would stall his work, but after reading about his continued aid after major earthquakes and thinking about his increased r esolve after 9/11, I am sure he will keep doing what he does as long as he can.

I am so grateful for the opportunities I have had in this country, and that my children can be educated. We sometimes dwell on the imperfections of our education system, when we forget that some people would literally send their child down a river to have that chance.

J Wendy Aposhian

Memory Check... Keep that one

We had a very nice evening, and our numbers grew as people braved the weather and traffic to get there. Wendy started the evening with a delicious baked Brie filled with fruit in the center. She had decorated the table with beautiful photos of Down Syndrome children and with photos of beach scenes, both so appropriately tied to The Memory Keepers Daughter by Kim Edwards. For dinner Wendy served yummy BBQ ribs (the ribs were a tie to David Henry being a BONE doctor). Wendy rounded out her the meal with baked potatoes and salad. Later she served a wonderful Key Lime pie.

Our discussion of The Memory Keepers Daughter focused on several issues. We discussed the ethics of the choices different characters made. David certainly made choices that could not be reversed, and ultimately his lie destroyed his family relationships. He never cleaned up this mess. Everyone had to deal with it after his death. I had hoped that he would tell Norah the truth later in their lives, even though the damage was already done. We also discussed if Carolines choices were ethical, and we considered the dismal options available for Down Syndrome children during the 60s. Caroline certainly did a commendable job with Phoebe, but what kind of responsibility did she have ethically in keeping Phoebes existence from Norah? Ultimately, both David and Caroline made selfish choices, althoug h the consequences for each were different. Beginning the story in the 60s made the storyline feasible (Very little knowledge or options for Down Syndrome children was integral to the plot). I don't think it would be plausible today. We also discussed the ethics of prenatal care and options today. Greater medical knowledge has presented more options to be considered. This book certainly portrayed the how consequences are tied to our choices. Thank you Benee for leading an interesting discussion.

Marylynne

Let's Get This Started!!

So, my bookclub friends and family members, I am proud to announce that we have gone digital! This will be the hub for posting comments about the books we've read, meeting blunders, recipes, knick-knacks during the month, important news about bookclub members, or whatever. I hope you enjoy the new look. Welcome Welcome.