December

The reason we don't have December book club was evident last night. Hope everyone is doing well, we missed you. Read lots of books to share in January on the 8th. Bring a favorite treat, too.

The Host

Lynda led a discussion about The Host by Stephenie Meyer. We talked about Wanda a lot and how selfish Melanie seemed to be. We discussed the human need for survival and home among other things. For food she brought camping meals (just add water), astronaut ice cream, fruit cobbler, veggie tray, etc.

Afterwards we exchanged Christmas books to read for next month. We are going to meet the first Tuesday in December, which is the 4th. We will talk about our individual reads and bring a holiday themed treat to share.

Anything I missed or you want to add?

The Scarlet Pimpernel

No one seemed to be 100% sold on this book. Those that could get into enjoyed it, but we kept getting off topic. We all would have liked to hear more about Percy's disguises. It was interesting to find out that there are 16 books in the series. Well, it is kind of a series. Two take place before this book, some focus on specific characters, etc. Me, being me, recommended (more than once) the musical by Frank Wildhorn and the movie with Jane Seymour, Anthony Andrews and Ian McKellen. I loved the ending and how romantic it was in the book. The movie and musical do not to that justice. Any other thoughts?

We had a fabulous Red Velvet cake ball and several red candies to round out our evening. Next month on November 13th we are meeting at Kacey's to discuss The Host by Stephenie Meyer.

October

Quick update, we are reading The Scarlet Pimpernel this month.  We are going to do a group hosting effort so do a little research into the book and come with someone interesting to add to the conversation :)  Also, for our refreshments, I request everyone bring a red or SCARLET food of their choice!

Tuesday October 9th at 7:00 p.m. at my house!

The Hiding Place and Next Month

The Hiding Place was a truly fantastic book.  I love to read and have read many books I would recommend but I am a better person after having read this book.  It is beautifully enlightening.  If you didn't get a chance to pick it up last month, put it on your list.  In fact I would put it on the top of your list.

We had a fantastic time at Jeannie's house.  The food was exceptionally good.  We discussed some of the major themes in the books, especially the characters (which is always that much more interesting when discussing real people).  My favorite theme we discussed was the miracles in the book and the clear showing of God's hand in our lives through the whole story.  We got to watch a part of the movie which was excellent and just had a great time.

Thank you Jeannie!

Micky is taking over next month with Runaway Twin by Peg Kehret.  She says this is a short one and recommends reading another book by the same author if you have time.  Book club will be held

Tuesday August 7th @ Kacey's House


That means two weeks ladies so let's get reading!

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

 Book Club was at my house last week. We discussed The Invention of Hugo Cabret and had a (kind of) tea party.


I tend to choose books that I want to share and that aren't necessarily great for discussion. I was worried about this one but needn't have been. After I gave a bit of author background. (He got all his training working at a children's book store.) We talked about the necessity of the pictures. They added so much to the story. In fact as the author wrote if he couldn't figure out how to say it well in words, he said it with a drawing instead. He took apart old watches, visited Paris and the Philadelphia museum for inspiration. He said he didn't write this book, he created it.


We talked about how everyone wants to make a difference. Everyone wants to be a success in their own way. 


Even though the pictures were in black and white there was often color there in our minds.


A theme throughout was invention. Not just the obvious invention, but the invention of self. 


Even though the "creator" thought his strength was in the illustrations I thought even the writing was well done. Some of my favorite quotes:
“I like to imagine that the world is one big machine. You know, machines never have any extra parts. They have the exact number and types of parts they need. So I figure if the entire world is a big machine, I have to be here for some reason, too.” 


“Maybe that's why a broken machine always makes me a little sad, because it isn't able to do what it was meant to do...Maybe it's the same with people," Hugo continued. "If you lose your purpose...it's like your broken.” 

*I took too long to write this. I can't remember everything. Anyone else want to add something?

We did a bit of adjusting so we don't lose Jeannie and Mickey. This month we will meet the 4th Tuesday and then in July it will be the 2nd Tuesday. From then on it will be the second Tuesday. Questions?

The Search for Wondla

Michele hosted last night while Jenny led our discussion of The Search for Wondla by Tony DiTerlizzi. Some things we talked about:
*what makes a family
*whether we should rely on technology or not
*important survival skills
*sometimes how you view your relationship with someone is not how they view the relationship
*how well the author portrayed a 12 year old girl
*is dissection okay? Darwin, Lewis and Clark, etc.
*books are becoming more technologically advanced


Anything I missed?


We are changing our night from the 4th Wednesday to the 4th Tuesday. (Church activity night has changed and that affected a good portion of the group.) Next month we are meeting at my house for a discussion of "The Invention of Hugo Cabret". 

Free e-books

I shared this on our facebook page but, you don't need to be on facebook to use it so I thought I would share it here for all the kindle/tablet/nook users. Pixel of Ink gives you updates on their website or via email or on facebook about free or inexpensive books for kindle and nook. There are different sections. The former is for adult books and I have had a few that have been deleted from my cloud for content. I personally love the young edition. (These are two separate links so be careful.) They had a limited free download this week of a book called The Worldwide Dessert Contest. It is interactive and so fun. When I am done I am gonna let Marcus read it. They have had some fun Easter picture books and recently a St. Patrick's book. Inspired Reads has Christian books that are free or inexpensive. Since I got my kindle in December I have only paid for one book. I wanted to share with ya'll. Let me know if you use it and share any good ones you have found.


*When you go to get the book, be careful. Sometimes the free is no longer free and can cause you grief if you don't pay attention. 

Rocket Boys

Stacie came down to our side of town to host last night at Kacey's house. We had great discussion about Rocket Boys by Homer Hickam. Most people agreed that his mom was the favorite character. Stacie was able to understand the father and appreciate his character more. Rocket science was in its infancy at the time and seemed like a silly dream to most people. The movie name, October Sky, was an anagram for Rocket Boys since the name turned some people off to the movie. October was the month that Sputnik went up. We learned about the 1950's from those that lived it and from statistics. Buying a home would be a whole lot cheaper, but on $3200 a year it would still be something to save for. For dessert we had a yummy jello dish. Anything anyone wants to add?

Next month we are meeting at Kacey's again and we are reading Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan. Adrienne is gonna host for the first time. March 28th, be there.

Fresh Apple Cake w/ Brown Sugar Glaze

Many people asked for this recipe. So, since we are keeping the blog I am gonna use it to share the recipe. (Originally found on lickthebowlgood.blogspot.com)


Fresh Apple Cake w/ Brown Sugar Glaze

Apple Cake:

• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups finely chopped apples
• 1/2 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped (optional)

Brown Sugar Glaze:

• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 3 Tablespoons butter
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 Tablespoon heavy cream

For the cake: Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8-inch pan (round or square) and set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.Stir with a whisk to mix everything together.
In a large bowl, mix the eggs with a hand mixer til light in color and foamy. Add the oil and vanilla and beat well.
Stir in the flour mixture with a spoon and continue stirring the batter til the flour disappears. Add the apples and nuts (if using) and stir to mix them into the batter.
Scrape batter into prepared pan and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Place the hot cake on a wire cake. While it's still hot, prepare the glaze.
For the glaze: Combine all the ingredients into a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until the mixture comes to a gentle boil. Cook for 3-5 minutes.
Spoon the hot glaze over the still hot-from-the-oven cake. Let the glazed cake cool completely before serving straight from the pan.

Our 3rd year!

We kicked of our year of reading last night. I will give you break down of the books that were suggested, the book and host(ess) for next month and you can check out the side bar for the year schedule. (I did not list the book chosen for book club reading on their month so we don't have repeats.) Yay!

Mindy suggested:
Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman
Tending Roses by Lisa Wingate
The Wednesday Letters by Jason F. Wright
Jenny suggested:
The Snow Angel by Glenn Beck
(the book she thought was called Bright Angel is not.)
Michele H. suggested:
A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute
The Great and Terrible series by Chris Stewart
Michelle L. suggested:
The book she chose will be her book in November (see sidebar)
Adrianne suggested:
Al Capone Does my Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko
Al Capone Shines My Shoes by Gennifer Choldenko
When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks
Heidi suggested:
Austenland by Shannon Hale
Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie
Stork by Wendy Delsol
The Blue Fairy Book by Andrew Lang
Stacie suggested:
A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines
Kacey suggested:
The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht
The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton*
House at Riverton by Kate Morton*
Jeannie suggested:
Return From Tomorrow by George Richie
Time for Andrew by mary Downing Hahn
Children of the Dust Bowl by Jerry Stanley
Mickey suggested:
Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn
Nightmare Mountain by Peg Kehret
A Dog Named Kitty by Bill Wallace
Tennyson by Lesley M.M. Blume


*Not recommended for book club reading necessarily


Stacie is hosting next month at Kacey's house. The book is Rocket Boys by Homer Hickam

To Keep or not?

I started the blog so we could review the books we read in book club. If people couldn't come they could still see what they missed and maybe add ideas or questions. It was also to keep track of dates and changes. The blog is very much neglected and not as I envisioned. Most people don't even read it or know how. What are your thoughts? (All 4 of you.) With the facebook group is this even something we want to keep doing or worrying about?