2020 08-20 Educated by Tara Westover - Hosted by Diana

 So nice to actually venture out to be with my fellow Book Nerds.

Thanks to all who dared to come out to join Diana to discuss her book choice of Educated by Tara Westover. 

I really liked this book and I believe so did everyone else.

We even had two special guests and maybe new members.... Jay Jay Kettler and Ellen Mayer.  Small world. I worked and knew Jay Jay before children and Ellen is a fellow quilter and former co-worker.

As you saw ladies our conversations go in all directions. We can't help ourselves.

Tara had no formal education until she decided to try school at the age of 17. Her education was life according to her father's rule. He preached his interpretation of the word of God. Her father had to preparing for the end of the world by hoarding food and being prepared to head further into the hills. Tara knew nothing of the real world except for her father's interpretation how the hospitals, schools, etc all try to brainwash you.  Her life was filled with herbs and working in her father's junkyard. And abuse. Her brother Shawn could be kind, caring and lovable but in an instant become violent.

All scraps, burns, gashes and bruises were treated by her mothers herbs. Her mother was a herbal healer and midwife.

Tara decided she wanted to go to school and started teaching herself mathematics and grammar. She needed a 22 on the ACT to get into college. She didn't succeed the first try but she got a 28 on her second try and was admitted to Brigham Young University and started studying history. As she sat in class and hearing the "The Holocaust" raised her hand and asked what is the Holocaust to have the professor tell her that wasn't funny and that she could leave.

Her thirst for knowledge took her to Harvard and to Cambridge.

Family ties were lost. Her father turned everyone against her.

This book had you questioning how could things get so out of whack and the children get lost. Once you started reading or in my case listening I didn't want to stop. Now the questions were did it really happen the way Tara wrote it?  Others didn't remember things happening the way she wrote them. Reality is all a matter of perspective. You and I may see the same wreck but each see different things. 

Tara showed her father as the leader and that no one crossed him. Even the mother. While the mother seemed more sympathetic to her children but she would not stand up to the her husband.

Tara broke the chains and reinvented herself and rose above her far back woods teachings with a thirst for knowledge. 

Next to choose a book was Cheryl. She announced her choice of "Bluebird Bluebird" by Attica Locke. And we decided to schedule our next meeting for September 17th.  So don't mess around. Get your book and start reading/listening!  Time is a ticking.  LOL

Next to choose will be...Ed, Gaye, Jan, Kathy, Lauren, Lisa, Pam, Sandy.

Hope to see you then.

Until then... 

Your secretary/photographer

2020 06-18 Killers of the Flower Moon hosted by (MIA) Deborah & The Mother in Law hosted by Denise

Tonight you discussed 2 books. The first one was Deborah's book choice. Deborah had to leave town to help her mom with her Dad who was ill.  I wasn't there either and Thanks to Diana I have pictures. YAY! Thank you Diana.  And Thanks to all of you were able to make it. Poor Gaye ended up at the wrong Spanish Flower and couldn't bear the idea of fighting the traffic back out 45.  

Everyone looks great!

Consensus was everyone loved both books. I really like this books too. I was told they talked but didn't necessarily take notes and that's okay. On Brenny, Denise and Diana read both books. 

Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann.....Everyone was amazed at the corruption that went on in Pawhuska with the murders and the skimming of the Osage Indian's money. And the discrimination. I remember visiting some of the Indian communities when I live up that way and even at a young age I knew the Indians were treated unfairly. We talked about it in school. It was cool that I could actually relate to the cities they mentioned in the book. I was just in Pawhuska in May 2019 with Pamela. We went to the Pioneer Woman's Mercantile. I wish I had read the book before I went. Thought I'd share some pictures I found of people and places.

Molly  Burkhardt                              Ernest Burkhardt

This is Pawhuska. The building in the middle that looks like a triangle is now renovated hotel. They were just opening some rooms up when we were there.

This is what was left of Rita and Bill Smith's house that was blown up.

Tom White

  J Edgar Hoover 1924

And this nerd is William Hale. He doesn't look like a killer.

It's hard to image that many Indians were murdered before anyone gave a damn and swindled out of their money.

The Mother In Law by Sally Hepworth Denise and Brenda didn't like the Mother in Law. Who did or could. She was cold and aloof yet just polite enough. She certainly wasn't the Mother in Law that Lucy had anticipate and wanted. The book started off with a bang..when the police show up at Lucy and Ollie's home to tell them that Diana, Ollie's mother was dead to what seemed like suicide but then things change and it became murder. My suspect was Patrick the son in law, Nettie's husband. There was no love lost there especially after the will was read. The weird thing was Diana had a good side to her that no one saw except for the refugee families.  

I was shocked at the will reading and the ending. WOW! Won't spoil the ending for those who haven't finished.

Now for the new book.....

Diana chose "Educated" by Tara Westover. This meeting will be August 20, 2020 and meeting place to be determined.

Get your book and get to reading.

Next to Choose:   Cheryl, Ed, Gaye, Jan, Kathy, Lauren, Lisa

Y'all need to be thinking of a book you can announce.

I miss everyone so hopefully I can join next time.

Your secretary/photographer

Carla

2020 21-Feb We Are Our Mother's Daughters by Cokie Roberts hosted by Brenny

Hi All! I'm finally posting something. I'm getting slow in my old age. Sorry I couldn't make it this time but Brenny and Barbara did share with me the new book announcement which I'll get to shortly.
But alas no pictures to share of the event but Brenny did have a great turn out of attendees at Los Cucos on Beltway 8. Love that place.

UPDATE: I lied there were pictures....  You can go to the photo gallery to see all the pictures taken.  Thank you Brenny 

Brenny chose this book because of how she loved Cokie's fair and unbiased reporting and the recent passing.  Brenny's book choice provided us many personal stories of Cokie's family and friends. And the stories of how woman pushed and fought to be part of everything and not stuck under some Male Macho thumb. It's always been a know fact that women had to fight for position and notice but the stories she shared of many of the pioneering women was awesome. I really enjoyed this book.
I had to laugh when I got to the I think 17th chapter and Cokie's mother told her and her sister to take the train and not drive because it would be safer. The girls were 40 years old. LOL It's my favorite saying to my daughter "I will always be your Mother no matter how old you are". It's just the way it is. Deal with it. 
I too should have taken notes on some of the stories to better remember them but kinda hard to do when I'm listening and driving down the road. LOL

I was reading the reviews on this book and folks either loved it for whatever reason. I truly enjoyed the stories whether they were outdated or not. If it hadn't been for the women who persevered in the late 1800's and 1900's for the advancement and recognition of women as it is today.  But that doesn't mean women are given the same recognition or advancement as men even today but it got the ball rolling. There are many women now who making great strides and the stories of them will be told by another women one day.  
If you haven't finished reading this book you should.

Deborah announced her book choice as "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann. Sounds like an interesting book. Get to reading folks.  Next meeting should be April 16th.
Next to choose is....Cheryl, Denise, Diana, Ed, Gaye, or Jan

Your official (MIA🙋) secretary/photographer

Carla

2019 12-05 One Second After by William Forscher hosted by Barbara

Sorry I'm slow in getting this posted but here's the scoop Thanks to Brenny and Barbara for the book

discussion on One Second After. I was unable to attend but they did a great job.  Thank you Ladies.

I heard the discussion was lively and plenty of it and the Hobbit Hole didn't disappoint. The food was tasty.
One Second After by William Forscher was thought provoking, sad, interesting and tear provoking. It's a dark book.
It made me think of Alas Babylon by Pat Frank. The world has fallen apart and the various communities band together to try to protect themselves, their property, their resources and try to survive. Especially Black Mountain, NC.  I was reading some of the comments about the book when I came across one who thought it ridiculous how the leader of the town sat around continuously talked and calculated  about how much food or supplies they did or didn't have and how to ration. I personally thought it was a good thing. But I think he felt that was the boring part of the book I guess.

I bought the book right after Barbara announced so I could listen to it on hour and half drive home. Then I had to stop because I got a little spooked. It's a daunting subject and I was on Hwy 6 heading home outside College Station and it was dark. I didn't want my car to stop and be out there alone. There's not a lot of houses close to the road. But I went back to reading after several minutes. I had to know what happened. It made me wonder if I would be able to survive. I do have some neighbors but David is gone through the week. I then thought would I see him or Pam again. Knowing David like I do I know he'd find a way home to Pam and then me. But in the mean time could I protect myself, property and animals. Would I ever see my friends?
I have to admit I had tears running down my face several times.

Everyone liked the book including myself but we did find ourselves stopping due to the subject matter. Then start again. The ladies discussed how we each might handle a similar situation. And thought about how they might prepare. Just to name a few

• stock up on ammo
• stock up the pantry
• Gaye's riding her bike to the farm & relocate some guns
• over the counter medications
• first aid supplies 
• batteries
• maybe fuel for any vehicle that runs on gas without computers.

Gaye commented that it was interesting  that there was a train of thought in neighborly respect, community spirit and focus on faith in Our Father.

Everyone was sadden by the choices required to enforce and protect their resources.
I've tried avoid any spoilers after reading this.

I am currently reading Mr Forschers next book One Year After. And Barbara is reading it too. I want to see how they survived.

Now for the next book..... Brenny announced her book choice was "We Are Our Mother's Daughter's by Cokie Roberts.
Date will be February 21st and the Location to be announced later. Watch the Blog link  http://wtsbookclub1997.blogspot.com/  for any changes or updates. Then of course I will email y'all too when things change.

The next to choose will be Cheryl, Deborah, Denise,  Diana, Ed, Gaye. Each of you should have a book ready should the person before not be ready.

So until next meeting and blog....~ The person who deserves most pity is a lonesome one on a rainy day who doesn't know how to read. ~ 

2019 09-26 Nine Perfect Strangers hosted by Kathy

Whew some of us had fun getting into town. Traffic bluntly was a Bitch. LOL But we made it. There was road construction for me on Hwy 6.  Grrr.




Those present were Gaye, Kathy and Barbara, Lauren, Me, Jan and Brenny. Missed the rest of you.  Thank you Gaye for opening your home to us.
  You missed some good food and some good homemade bottled drinks Brenny brought and shared.
 My favorite was a grape drink. All of them were very light and refreshing.  Thank you so much Brenny.  There was lots of laughs and discussion with this book.
I really wanted make a batch of smoothies in honor of Marsha.  Wait Brenny what did you put in those bottles. I felt very energized driving home.  mmmm

We all liked the book. My comment was that I did got irritated with the characters because they were so damn judgmental. Francis thought Tony was a serial killer. I mean he probably had to worry about her sitting in her car beside the road screaming and beating on the steering wheel.  I was reminded that in some way or the other we are all judgmental. Ok point made.   Of course you had to laugh when Tony's pants dropped at the pool revealing his tattoos. LOL

It surprised us all when we found out that Marsha had a second child and just walked away.
And cried when Zoe told the story of her brother.
Her mother was tightly wound but she did lose a child
Her father was boring

Carmel was obsessed with her appearance thinking she was fat. Which apparently she wasn't
Lars was spa junky.... Wonder if he still was after being locked up with 9 strangers thinking he was gonna die
Francis needed to feel better and regroup especially after reading the bad review and the fake online romance.

Jessica & Ben - Lottery winners .. relationship issues. She obsessed with changing her appearance and he's obsessed with the car

And Tony the x football player - Had to love him.
Each character had a secret that would be uncovered while being locked in a room without food for longer than anyone expected.

Could you go a whole week with no wine, snacks, phone and no talking?  Well my talking is limited to the dog, cows and Jerry... Does that count? Wine it would be struggle and I don't have bad snacks in the house anymore. No phone probably but again hard. What about you?

I would give the 4 out of 5 stars. It wasn't what you would call a page turner but I kept reading to find out what brought each attendee to the spa.
I was glad Moriarty tied up the loose ends at the end and didn't leave you wondering what happened to everyone after their interesting spa visit.

Okay now for your next book.....  Barbara's book choice was/is One Second After by William  Forstchen.  Our next meeting will be November 7th. Location to be determined later.

Next to Choose:  Brenda, Cheryl, Deborah, Denise, Diana

I already got the book and started listening when I drove home.

SEE Y'ALL IN November.

Your PITA Secretary/Photographer

2019 07-20 Where the Crawdad sings

Let me start with Thank you to all who made the drive out to the Rock'n K for my book discussion of Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. I know there were others who wanted to join us but vacations, family, and work sometimes get in the way. Missed y'all.
Everyone got meet Jerry that wanted to. Jerry was being a charmer that day and when Jan called his name he came to the fence.

This review is a bit scattered and choppy so I apologized in advance.

So the book got everyone's attention. The feedback was everyone loved the book but just couldn't believe that young Kya at the tender age of 5 is left on her own. Her whole family just walks away and leaves her. No way how could a mother and finally the father just walk away.  Brothers and sisters okay for the most part but the parents.  And how does a little Marsh girl survive?
Kya was one resourceful little girl. She knows the marsh and has a little money to buy items at the store. She did what she had to do and had seen her family do. She was raised different than say a town girl.
When everyone is gone except her father, who was an abusive alcoholic she stayed out of his sight to avoid his rath. But then even he leaves and doesn't come back.
As she grows up she begins to yearn for companionship and the young boy named Tate became her friend, her tutor, her love. But then even he leaves and goes off to college.
Then the town hulk Chase Andrews and womanizer takes an interest in the naive Kya. It's not a good interest. Then he is murdered and Kya is the main suspect.
The ending had a twist and a surprise or at least to me.

Here's a link to an interview with Delia Owens that was shared with me and I found it interesting.
https://www.amazon.com/article/twib/delia-owens-interview.html?sin_tw_ss_em#twib-top

Kathy announced her book choice.... "Nine Perfect Strangers" by Liane Moriarty. Hope everyone has gotten their book by now and started reading. I have. Our next meeting will be in October and the location will be announced when the date gets closer.

Next to choose: Barbara, Brenda, Cheryl, Deborah and Denise.

Just because your name is way down the list doesn't mean I won't be calling on you to choose. You need to be at the meeting to announce or send me an email when it's your turn to announce.  Always have a book choice tucked away in your notes in case I call on you.

Oh and Friday the 19th was Barbara's birthday and that's why she had the birthday crown on. Happy Birthday again Barbara.

Your official secretary/photographer

2019 05-06 The Wedding Tree by Robin Wells hosted Pam

What a special evening! Not only did we have our usually good conversation of the book and everything else, we had good food but we had a special guest! Our special guest was Robin Wells herself, the author. She fit in quite well with our group. Thank you Pam and Susan S. for making this happen! And a Big Thank to Robin Wells for joining us!  Pam had a great turn out for the discussion of her book choice The Wedding Tree even with the weather being so crazy. The weather cooperated and we were able to sit outside by the pool.  We had a couple extra folks join us at the discussion... Andrew and Sarah (Pam's husband and her daughter.) 
 Thank you Andrew for taking our group picture!

I was so interested in what Robin was telling us I forgot to take good notes and some of them got smudged from water. She always knew she wanted to be a writer. Having both parents being librarians probably had something to do with that. She did work in other jobs plus be a wife and a Mom when she began to truly write As her daughter started growing up Robin decided she had to be true to herself and become a writer if she wanted to instill that same quality into her daughter. She started writing silhouette books that ran around 200 pages because anything bigger scared her. She started in Romance and has moved Women's fiction.
Robin told us a cute story about her parents. They met in Oklahoma and only dated a few weeks before he was shipped out. He sent a letter I believe with money so that Robin's grandmother could go by an engagement ring to give to Robin's Mom. They were engaged by mail. Together they decided that 1 week after his return from the war they would be married. And the rest is history.

She wrote a book called the French War Bride that has the character Addy from The Wedding Tree. Some of the girls started reading it already thinking it was a prequel.  Robin has a new book coming out September 2020 called She gets That From Me.

Suzanne had already decided she didn't like the book before reading it by the title.  LOL but guess what she loved the book especially since it was set in Louisiana. Actually everyone loved the book.
I took a cue from Brenny who tends to always listen to our books if she can so I tried since my drive to doctors and grocery put me in the car for a while. Problem was i didn't want to stop listening when I got to my destination. I wanted to know what happened next and like everyone else i wanted to know what was in the suit case Charlie buried. I found myself laughing out loud right off when Addy started talking to her "mother" floating on the ceiling and the banter between Matt and Hope.

The Wedding Tree was a story of love and obsession from WWII, new budding romance, it was funny, sad and even tragic at times. Definitely recommend.

No one present and on the list had a book choice so I announced a book.. (I then remembered Barbara had texted me a choice. Oops. Barbara keep that choice handy)

My choice was Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens... Next meeting will be in July sometime. Details to be announce at a later date.
Next to choose: Kathy, Lisa, Patrick and Sandy, Susan or Suzanne, Barbara, Brenda.

Just because your name is way down the list doesn't mean I won't be calling on you to choose.  Just like tonight no one had a book ready. Always have a book choice tucked away in your notes in case I call on you.

I wish had an editor to keep me in line when blogging about book discussion.
Until next meeting....

 Your now official secretary/photographer after 22 years. LOL