2013 10-17 The Lace Reader hosted by Denise Arnold

What a better choice than to meet at Joe's Crab Shack and have a cup of clam chowder? We had a nice turn out and a special guest... Lisa Godin Espinoza. 

I personally had not seen her since I left WTS almost 15 years ago so it was great 
seeing her. She wasn't able to stay long but 
I was glad she got out and joined us even if it was for 
short visit.
Everyone loved the setting of 
The Lace Reader by Brunomia Barry. 
I would say the book got 4 out 5 stars. 
The setting in Salem, MA alone grabed everyones attention. 
I'd like to visit Salem one day myself.
There was some confusion on who was whose 
aunt or grandmother but still loved the book. 
Gaye had a hard time getting into the book but now like a 
couple of others who hadn't finished we do plan on finishing 
it after hearing all the comments and discussion. 
The book had passion and a little bit of magic.

And to think my maiden name is Whitney and this 
book is about generations of Whitney women who have a 
gift of reading the future in lace. Some times I think that 
would be a cool trait to have but then again maybe 
not.
Towner Whitney returns to her hometown of 
Salem, MA to get some tranquility in her life only to have it
turned upside down by the strange circumstances of 
her great-aunt Eva's drowning. She hooks up with John
Rafferty a local cop who left the big city police department 
for a quieter life.

When reading other reviews they compared this book to the Sixth Sense? mmm What do you think.?
Did things suddenly become apparent and more clear as the story progressed? 

The book is hard to get into and starts out slow but then slowly pulls you into the story line.
"Towner as narrator, even though she's told us from page one, "I lie all the time." By mid-book, we see the world through Towner's eyes and forget that she's warned us not to."  

Hope everyone takes the time to finish or just read the book.

Are you ready for the next reading assignment.......
Diana chose An Irish Country Christmas by Patrick Taylor. 
Don't waste time. Get out there and get your book and start reading. As discussed previously our meetings will be on the 3rd Thursday of every other month. So our next meeting will be December 19th.

Enjoy.

Your unofficial secretary/photographer

Carla

2013 08-07 Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet hosted by Deborah Marxsen

Such a relaxing evening with my Book Junkies @ Jimmie G's. We discussed Deborah's book Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. Well Deborah you can relax because everyone enjoyed your book. At least I know of 8 folks who did. Sorry the rest of the group couldn't join us because we had a great time and the food was pretty tasty and plenty of it.

Book is about Henry Lee and the long boarded up Panama Hotel where belongings of Japanese immigrants were stored after they were herded into camps. The book jumps between 1986 and 1940 where Henry meets Keiko at the age of 12 and falls in love. A forbidden love because he is Chinese and she is Japanese.
The book shares the attitudes of the time period and the predjuices.

The items found in the basement of that hotel opens the door to a flood or memories. 

This book lets you know there is time for forgiveness. You can see human nature at it's best and at it's worst. 

Many teared up while reading this book. Did you?

Okay next to Choose is Denise. Her choice is The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry. 






Until we meet again...The man who doesn't read good books has no advantage over the man who can't.  ~Mark Twain~

Carla

2013 06-27 Hope:A Tragedy by Shalom Auslander hosted by Dawn @ Italiano's

Well we were small in numbers but big on friendship and talk. When has this group ever been quiet? mmm Nope can't think of a time. Sorry the rest of ya couldn't join us. Hope those of you who couldn't join us had fun on your trip, took care of business and I really hope everyone feels better. Suz and Sandy are recovering from surgery and Kathy was feeling under the weather.

Now what can I say about the book? Well according to Dawn she picked this book because of the other books she's read by Auslander. He's humor is dark but you're generally laughing but this book missed the mark and Dawn hated her own book.  She was very disappointed in this Auslander book

The book tended to be so repetitive. Solomon kept putting store bought vegetables, fruits, and even ground meat out on top of the soil in his mother's garden trying to fool her into thinking it all grew overnight. Really. And the mother coming into the house all excited about the crop. 

I got tired of his constant complaining and whining about his mother, about the smell of his unwanted house guest and his constant paranoia. All the characters have issues and are not very appealing. Not even poor Kugel's son who is sickly.

I won't spoil the ending for those of you who want to finish the book hoping for redemption or a great reveal.

No one but Gaye actually liked this book. This Dawnie, was a little weird book even for you. Sorry.

The book may have gone astray but the group enjoyed the evening and the company.

Now for our next book.............................Deborah chose Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford. Next meeting will be on Wednesday August 7th.

Next to choose will be Denise, Diana, Ed or Gaye! Be ready guys.

Your unofficial secretary/photographer

Carla

2013 05-04 Street Heat by Will Graham Discussion hosted by Carla in her home

A person couldn't have asked for a nicer day to have people out for

a little book discussion. We started off on the new Texas Star dining room table with brunch and moved straight into discussion of my book choice and picking on I mean picking William's brain on the whys, how to's, where'd ya get that kinda questions. 
For dessert we had Chocolate Spiced Cookies made by Brenny. Yum Yum. They're all gone now. Can't even share a picture. Forgot to take a picture that day. Thanks so much Brenny

And Kathy thanks for bringing me fresh grown tomatoes.

I was nice and shared 1 with Brenny but that's it and I've been working on the rest. mmmmmm. Okay so I finished them all off after I took this picture. 

Yes Ladies and Gents I know my book choice wasn't as meaty as some but it was a fast fun read. I enjoyed the book and expect to see a sequel. I mean did Peter Chance really get the serial killer or not? But I was informed, "No there will not be a sequel" or did I see a smirk on William's face? mmmm

So yes Ladies and Gents we did in fact have a special guest amongst us around the table. The author Will Graham aka as I know him William Simon and his lovely wife Donna joined us. 

Who as I posted on Face book and told him that day "I see you in a whole new light after a couple of pages in the book" It's like you know your parents had sex but didn't want to acknowledge it kinda thing. I'd never heard William talk like that. I almost blushed and I did crack up.     LOL  

And William-Donna Thank you so much for the lovely cactus

garden. David noticed it right off and thought it was awesome. Scary part is now I have to keep it alive. eeekkk. I have a sign I hung on a pot outside that said "I tried, It died". I'll do my best to not hang it on the cactus garden. Took this picture with my phone. Not so good.
Just the Facts (and trust me there were plenty I didn't get in my notes)

• The book was originally written for a TV series called Midnight Caller but got scrapped.
• William is a Computer Forensic Analyst and an avid reader so he has plenty of experience and friends to draw inspiration from. 
• I met William while working at Cypress Book Store that sadly no longer exists. He was one of our best customers, then he did a little computer investigating and then became an employee during the day.
• Author name Will Graham that William wrote under is the main character in the book the Red Dragon 
• the cover design for the book came from his wife.
• in so many books the club reads they mention other books and Street Heat is no different. Mentions a book called Meet the Tiger by Leslie Charters. It is a real book. Published in 1928 and thus began the saga of The Saint series
• William has been writing since he was 7. He used his mother's portable Royal typewriter.
• While the rest of us in 3rd grade did book reports on Dick and Jane or Little House on the Prairie William read From Russia with Love by Ian Fleming. He got an "A" only after the teacher confirmed with the parents it was okay he had such a book. LOL
• In the Street Heat Peter Chase was interviewed by Playboy...so I wondered if maybe William had such an interview. No but that is every writers dream.
• Peter Chase's and Sarah's song was "Lady" by Kenny Rogers but it wasn't Donna and Williams. Theirs was "The Power of Love" by Huey Lewis
• When asked who his favorite authors were he came back with Agatha Christi, John Sanderford, the Prey series, John Patterson the Alex Cross series and many other classics.
• In 2004 Murder by Magic was published the traditional way but has since gone independent. William wrote his short story in 2 days
• Book suggestion for the club from William was Black Stiletto by Raymond Benson

Whew, I think I covered everything well almost. I couldn't write it all. If I missed anything or misquoted anyone oops. 

We did end up out on the patio finally for photo's. What a beautiful

day.

Thanks everyone that made it out. I know it was out of the ordinary which made it difficult for some folks to join us.

Plug for William ...he does have other books out there on Amazon and is about to release another in a week or two called "One Minute After Midnight". William continues to grow with

each year and each book. He did a little book signing in the end for those of us who had books.

Okay here's what everyone has been waiting for ..... TA TA DA next book choice is by Dawnie.

Hope: A Tragedy

by Shalom Auslander

Oh and the next to choose will be Deborah, Denise, or Diana   

You can see more pictures on the photo gallery 

So until next Meeting... a quote from William who took it from Dean Koontz ~ "A writers mind is like a giant cauldron where an idea will pop out"~  (might be slightly off but I'm close on that quote)

Your unofficial secretary/photographer

Carla

PS: I don't have an editor so excuse any typos be it grammar or spelling. LOL

2013 03-21 Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson

Let’s Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson Hosted by Cheryl Fee in Her Home 3/21/2013

A mostly true Memior, sorta. Jenny holds nothing back and tells about her rural Texas upbringing. If cussing or the use of the “F” word offends you this book ain’t for you. But if you want to read funny and unfilter’s story’s this is your book. She has a unique style by all means.

Lancaster: What’s it like to ride around in your head for the day?

Lawson: Cramped. Exhausting. Exhilarating. Baffling. I have no way to compare it, but                 whenever I let slip the bizarre things I’m thinking about, people seem alarmed and step                    away slowly, so I think “disorientating” is probably fair as well.

Okay that’s the way I felt when I started reading this book. I kept thinking please don’t let the whole book read like this. Even though I hadn’t finished at the time of the meeting I do want to finish so I can understand what was so funny.  I was told to just keep reading and it will get better.

Cheryl had an awesome turn out! 13 folks invaded Cheryl and Jerry’s lovely home. Thanks to you both for

hosting. And the food was ever so tasty. Our menu was Mud Bugs, Squirrel, Salad and rice. Actually it was shrimp and chicken for inquiring minds who didn’t make it that night. And for dessert we had Brenny’s favorite…..Petits Fours. That girl does love her tiny little cakes. I have to admit these were the best I’d had mmm since I left WTS and that was a long time ago. Wow how time has flown and things have changed.

Almost everyone thought the book was funny, hilarious and several committed they liked it because Jenny was unfiltered. Had to Laugh because Dawnie said Jenny was unfiltered like she was….. Was?   Most Loved Loved the book.

And yes Wall, TX does exist if you had any questions. Susan S’s nephew was/is the basket or base ball coach.  I wrote BB but can’t remember which B sport it was now that I’m typing.

Some of the girls thought some of the stories were normal living to them. Now you know how we all say “It taste like chicken” well Susan S. says not so of a Boa Constrictor. She said it was tough and tasty. Gaye thought nothing of the story about the cow birthing. Dawnie related to several of the stories. Go Imagine. We decided several of the girls should write a book of their lives. This group knows some of the stories but there’s a lot more out there that they could share in a book.

Now I found this interesting.. Suz said she didn’t like to laugh too much! What! Since when my friend? Actually she didn’t find the book that funny because Jenny’s story sounded logical to her.

Now when Jenny would say her Dad was weird everyone would say yeah so is mine but I don’t think too many of us could say our Dad collected “COLLECTED” bobcat urine or bobcats,  turned a squirrel into a hand puppet that would tramatize any young child if you asked me, or throw a bobcat at guest in your home. Thank goodness Victor  took it all in stride and still hung around and eventually married Jenny. Don’t want to give Victor a big head but everyone thought he was amazing. Wonder if we could find pictures of the wedding on the web.

If you didn’t get enough of Jenny Lawson and her unfiltered life go check out her blog The Bloggest @  http://thebloggess.com/  I’ve started following it. Now she also tweets if you’re into twitter.

So for our next book choice………….. I chose Street Heat by Will Graham. Now I happen to know this author, another reason I chose this book but he said he would come to the meeting to answer any questions we might have. So be nice boys and girls. I guess I’ll have to come up with a good introduction for him at the meeting.  I threw out the suggestion that we have the next meeting at The Kennedy Patio and no one complained to my face. To do that though in light of distance and traffic it would be best hold the meeting on a Saturday.

Saturday

May 4^th

11 am

 Next to choose is Cindy, Dawnie, Deborah.  I know Dawnie is ready if Cindy isn't.

Your unofficial Secretary/Photographer 

Carla

Elegance of the Hedgehog Mtg January 17, 2013 hosted by Brenda Willson

Well Ladies and Gents

This post has been a long time coming. For now I'm posting What I can since I wasn't at the meeting unfortunately. While y'all were toasting the 16th anniversary, Me and Jan I was having wild dreams. Not very nice ones either. Me and drugs don't always work well together. In fact by midnight that nite the special cocktail shot the doc gave me after the surgery wore off and I was an unhappy camper. I'm finally able to walk with out a limp until I get tired but pain is gone unless I twist the wrong direction. I know I shouldn't do that. ;o)

From what I heard the meeting was a great success. Way to go Brenny. Wish I'd been there but the knee surgery took precedent. Especially since David decided I could go first and now it looks like he won't have to have major surgery after all. Well at least not for now. The bum.

Here's a recap of what I got from Brenny:
  We had a toast to you last night for all your hard work over these years, and to Janice for starting the club. Dinner was great and the company was as well. Cheryl F, Dawnie, Gaye Marie, Diana D, Lisa Rhodes, Debra, Janice Leone, and Susan Shultz were there. The discussion was lively, so it looks like the choice of book turned out to be a good one.  I think it was agreed that Ms Fee would write the review of this one since you weren’t there. We did get some group photos. Diana brought her camera and had our waiter take the pics.  

Cheryl chose Let’s Pretend This Never Happened (A Mostly True Memoire) by Jenny Lawson as the next book. 
It was funny because Dawnie is reading it now and it was going to be her pick when it came her turn. She said it’s hilarious and describes her life. I think she’s going to let you pick next, since Ms. Fee stole her book and now she has to find a new one (and because we don’t want you to miss your turnJ). I think it was agreed that Ms Fee would write the review of this one since you weren’t there. 

That's it for now Ladies and Gents. When Cheryl gets time and can get me her review of the meeting for Elegance of the Hedgehog I'll add it to this post but for now you got me. And maybe Diana Davilla will share her pictures with me and I'll post her pictures of the nite at Harvest Organic Grille

Your unofficial secretary/photographer
Carla