Phil+Cinnamon Rolls+Book Club+ Porch= :)

Ok Mary Ann, you picked the deep and dangerous Dr. Phil for a book club choice. That's fine. But, nothing tops the rolls. Wow! And, for the third time triva buffs, book club was held at a different location. Mary Ann was kind enough to invite us into her home, and onto her enclosed private "RESTAURANT" if you will, ok it was a porch, but still. It was very nice, and very different, and it was a real TREAT! Both the different location, and the HOMEMADE cinnamon rolls. Smiles all around.

For the book, it wasn't a pure favorite. We discussed it, but I don't think everyone read the whole thing completely. We all read sections of the book. It was ok what we read, but it was as if the doctor was trying to get into OUR heads. We don't need shrunk while reading...thanks Phil.

Seriously though, some parts were interesting. We learned some from reading. It was just a lot of technical, mumbo jumbo. It was ok, but not sure if everyone loved it. Not sure if Mary Ann liked it 100% and it was her book. This was book 97.

*** of five

Meeting date: September 17th, 2011

Backseat Drama

Karen's choice was book 96, and it didn't dare to disappoint. Before we went out and watched Matthew what's his name potray Mickey Heller, we all read Mickey Heller BEING Mickey Heller. It is Mickey Heller right?

Anyway, I personally had not read a Michael Connelly novel before, and I enjoyed this character. I loved his attitude, and his slight sarcasm. He made for an interesting person. I think the club seemed to enjoy him as well.

He's not a conventional lawyer, as he practices law from the backseat of an actual lincoln car. I will let you read the book to learn why. From the backseat or not, he is an interesting lawyer as well. Fighting to get the job done, it throws out the question of whether or not you would want Mickey to be your personal lawyer.

We all liked the book. Kim was nice enough to pass around the movie to those who wanted to watch the movie AFTER they read the book.

**** out of five

Meeting date: August 20th, 2011

Just Me...and my...Emma!

Readers...books like this don't always come around. This book is a sleeper book. It's a really good book, at least I think, that sinks you in once you start reading it, and if you don't think about it too much, it a book that SLAPS you in the face at the end. Which, let's face it, who doesn't like good slap?

Whoa..whoa...not a literal slap, a figurative slap. Without giving things away, I didn't see things coming. If you read it, hopefully you won't either. You become attached to Emma, and you feel for all the characters in the book.

Honestly, that is all I am going to say. I don't want to spoil it for everyone. Go and read Me and Emma. You will like it. Book Club did! Thanks Marilyn for picking.

**** of of five

Meeting Date: July 16th, 2011

We're not Dead Yet!

Susie brought us book 94, with the John Newberry Award winner "The Graveyard Book." Written by Neil Gaiman, a firm supporter in libraries, it tells the story of a book who is raised in a graveyard by the inhabitants found within it.

I think this book at first had our readers wondering as to what the book was about, with a title like "The Graveyard Book." However, after reading it and discussing, I really think that most enjoyed the book, but found it to be a little out there, as in not realistic because of the raising of the child from a graveyard. But, I think it held most becuase of the mystery factored in.

***1/2 out of five

Meeting date: June 18th, 2011

Why Have 1st through 12th grade?

Book 92 brought us Cheri's choice, in what she did for a good many years. She was a kindergarten teacher, and of course all she needed to know she learned there...right?

In a charming book by Robert Fulghum, he tells stories of simple life in things that we could ultimately learn when we all enter kindergarten.

These are short stories, that Cheri had us pick a few that we enjoyed reading, and that we coudl relate too. The consensus was that we all liked reading about the people in the book, and the stories were relatable. Some did not read every story, which you didn't have to read them all. You could pick the ones that sounded the most interesting.

Have you thought some things were common or uncommon?

*** out of five

Club date: May 21st, 2011

Not Just Anybody...You Know I Need Someone

Yes fallowers, if any, there hasn't been a blog post since April. I am sorry for that. You get behind on things, and the blog seems the first to go. With the new and improved, moving along with technology, we are hoping you do as well, and read the blog posts, or remotely enjoy them. I am going to do a run down of the ones that we have read since April, and hope it catches everyone up.

April book choice was choosen by Sally. It was Kathryn Stockett's book "The Help." Which, if you haven't read this book, please do. The consensus was that it is a truly touching book. If you haven't seen the movie, again please do. Most of the club went and saw the movie, and really enjoyed the movie as well. Great performances by some great actors and actresses.

Anyway, back to the book. The story is about African American maids in the 1960's, when segragation and color were hitting it's peak. The white woman in the book wants to tell the story of the colored maids who work in the town, and tell their side of the story. The hard part is trying to get the woman to tell there stories, without getting caught, and anyone finding out. If so, they could get into a lot of trouble.

Book club would reccomend this book, and it would also reccomend the movie. Some didn't like the book fully, but mostly all enjoyed reading this touching story.

**** four our of five

Book # 92: No! I Don't Want To Join A Bookclub

I don't know anbout you, but I certainly want to join a book club. In fact, I am a member! And just because the title of this book is titled the way it is, does not mean that it's ani-book club. It is just a statement from a 60 year old woman, who doesn't know what to do with her life.

It does throw out the question to everyone, that we all can relate to. "What do you do when you reach a point in your life, and you want to do something else?" So, just because it's about a 60 year old woman, doesn't mean I myself, being male, cannot relate to it.

This was the second "post-Fat Man's," "Manhunt" being the first held at Our Hometown Restaurant. This one was held at The Library.

The consensus was that the book was good. All could realte to the book. It brought humor and enlightenment for those close to or over the age of 60. It made the ones who weren't there yet, apprecaite those in the age brackett.

By the way, Manhunt was well recieved last month. People seemed to enjoy the historical value of Manhunt, and the interesting things it brought up. Such as, how people could get so close to the president back then. How the president was protected. How things are different now. We also learned that John Wilkes Booth had a connection to a local town near us...Brookville, Pennsylvania! Ask a book club member about that one.

The talley is one for Hometown Restaurant, one for the library.

Book Club Trivia

The first book that was discussed at bookclub was "East of Eden," at Fat Man's, and was book 1.


The last book to be discussed at Fat Man's was "The Great Gatsby" and was book 89.

Good Bye Old Friend...The Meeting Place

All of our book club was sadden by the news that our meeting place of over 88 times, would cease to be there after the January meeting.

Rumors ciculated around that they were closing due to illness, and that the ship would close it's doors in February before the book club meeting.

After the shock and awe subsided, the question in everyone's mind is...Where do we have bookclub now? After having it for so long at Fat Man's, and it's convenient location of right across the street from the library, it was just a surprise to all.

Where do we have bookclub? Why we have it at the only other restaurant that is available for breakfast, Our Hometown Restaurant. They were gracious enough to let us come and try it there. It wasn't too bad. Everyone just needs to get used to the fact that we have to have it somewhere new. And new it shall be.

The new option is, that the person who picks the book, also picks the location. So far we had the discussion after Fat Man's closing at OHR. We then tried the library as a position for the meetings. So, we then came up with an offereing, like I said, that whoever's turn it was to pick a book, will also pick the location. It seems like a good comprimise for now.

BOOK #90

"You shot me down...bang, bang. I hit the ground...bang bang. That awful soung...bang bang..."

Starting the home stretch to book 100 with a bang, book 90 gives us the idea of the 12 day search for Lincoln's killer. In Manhunt, a book by James Swanson, it gives you an interesting story, and an account of the search for John Wilkes Booth, after that fateful night he shot the president of the United States. Booth went on the run after shooting the president, and Swanson takes you on an exciting journey, as the people in the book, and you, go looking for Lincoln's killer.

Some interesting things to think about as you read this book:

-How did Booth shoot Lincoln so easily?

-How did he just jump down from the box seats after shooting Lincoln, and get away like he did?

-Why did he believe that he was "supposed" to, or chosen if you will, to kill Lincoln. He believed that he was doing the United States a favor. Says who?

So, please take the journey with us, as we follow the people, and the killer, who got rid of some say one of the greatest presidents we have ever had. Booth killed our 16th president. Find out some answers.

Gatsby Roundup

The book "The Great Gatsby" was discussed on January 15th, 2011 at Fat Man's.
10 people were present at the meeting. A hearty discussion was had about the book. I was surprised at how much of a discussion it did bring. I was proud of the fact that it did bring up some good points. Such as:

-Why is it a classic?
-Why do they teach it in school?
-What are the elements that make it a great book?

It seemed a consensus that it was a well recieved piece of literature. It was a snapshot of that time, the roaring twenties. It's a stamp on our lives for that time.

Give it a try, and you'll be "Roaring" your way down the literature cannon.

What's up next?

WATCHING?

Are you reading this Voundilee?

If so, send us a message...=)

BOOK #89

This is an introduction to the next book, who picked it, and why, etc. The book is to your right-------->

The Great Gatsby is my choice for the next book club. This book has been stuck in my top 5 books ever since I have read it.

It has stuck with me of the writing style, the put togetherness of it, and even the story. I love it, and think it's brilliant, when an author writes on the average of 200-250 pages, and makes you care about the people, and are intigued with the story they are telling. F.Scott Fitzgerald, again to me, does this wonderfully in "The Great Gatsby."

I wanted to also go back to our roots in book-club. When the club first started, we read about 5 classic in the first 10 books about. Then we steered away from picking classic, and have stayed mostly in contemporary reading. So, I'm bringing CLASSIC back. Read along with us, and let us know what you think. Other things will be posted with this book such as: questions, ideas, and even the summary of that weeks book-club, and an announcement of what the next slection is. So, stay CLASSIC book club. Happy Reading!!!

BOOK #88

I literally was wishin' and hopin' the book didn't have to end. It was a feel good Christmas story, told from Wally Lamb, author extrodinaire. Which Sharon informed us that all his book titles are song titles.

It had humor, and a good-heartedness to it. It was a good book to read during the holidays because of the message, and the easy to realte to of it.

I would read this book during the holidays, or even give it a try off of season. You will fall in love with the characters, and you will definately relate to the people that are in the town. Different mind-set or not.

BOOK #87

As all books with the book-club, there are books that I don't think I would ever pick up, or be exposed to if people wouldn't pick them. This book is one of them, but I am glad that it was picked. It's an interesting book about friendship through the years between two women. They start a club, by sending recipes with their letters. What's cool about this book, is that it includes all the recipes they talk about, and you can actually make them all. I know because Sharon, one of the members, made the very first recipe for us in the book. And...it was YUMMY! It was interesting to read the friends letters and recipes (I didn't read All of them but...). It felt as though you were getting a personal look into the lives of the ladies.

You can put anyone in the roles, females, males, and it will still ring true to everyone. You need to be there for people, and try to stick through it no matter what. Do you have friends like that? Do you have recipes that you might share?

BOOK #86

Stealing is never the answer. So why call it the book thief? By reading the book, it will make sense to you. It's a suspend reality book, that has an unusual character telling the story. I won't tell you who does, because when you find out, (to me) it's a really cool concept. I've read many a books, and never found a person telling the story like the one in this book.

It gives you depth, and a history lesson. This happens during WWII and the Holocaust area. You get an idea of what is happening at that point in history.

Keep your eyes peeled, and the words handy, because this is a journey that you don't want to miss.

BOOK #85

If you like a romance mixed with a little intrigue and msytery, then have we got a book for you. "Ticket Home" tells the story about a brother that comes home from the war, after everyone, including the woman you love, thinks you are dead.

There is more to the book than just a love story. The mystery behind the book, if you aren't a good detective, will surprise you.

I myself enjoyed the mystery part, but the romance I could have done without. =)

If you are looking for an interesting read, and something that will keep your attention, then I would give "Ticket Home" a try. It may be your "ticket" to a good read.

BOOK #84

I wouldn't take this book in a pool, or for the pier for that matter. But, I would sit in my living room, and read this. This book really seemed to keep everybody wondering one simple question..."What would you do if a person you loved, and was thinking about leaving, had an accident? Would you stay with them?" You read about what happens to all of the people in the book, by someone having one accident. The one accident causes a chain reaction. The writing is really very well done, it keeps your attention, and you either agree with the ending, or you don't. I'm not quite sure if I agreed with it or not, but you will have to read it for yourself to make your own decision. Does she stay or does she go?

BOOK #83

In a first for our book club, we have never had a book title be a number. It's the only one to date.

In my personal opinion, I really enjoyed this, and as "odd" as the book might be a little, I think most did like this one too.

It takes place during slavery, and the slave 47. They are just a number...so most think.

Strage and unusual things happen in this book, that kind of suspend your belief, but it does make for a book, a pageturner, and a Young Adult book that will teach you some history, and some mystery.

BOOK #82

In this day and age, writing letters are almost a thing of the past. It's an old past-time. When you are able to sit down and send an email in a matter of seconds, or spend that 43 cents to mail a letter, which one wins out? Usually the email.

I enjoyed this book, because it went back to the root, or the lost art form of letter writing. Letter writing is much more personal and intimate. This is what kind of makes the book. Reading the letters, even though in printed book font, felt as though you were reading their personal ideas, and finding out what goes on in their lives.

It's a nice feel good read, and an interesting book, with an interesting outcome.

BOOK #81

This book has an honor of holding a spot in our bookclub list, but Oprah was the first to get ahold of it. It tells the story of the hardship that Ellen goes through in foster care, and that sets up her side of what goes on in her life. Ellen "Foster" gets her name from that since she goes to live with her "foster" family. A tale that will keep your attention from beginning to end.

BOOK #80

A simple, yet adorable story of a mouse, in love with a princess. Despereaux has lots of heart, and it teaches us that no matter how small you are, or in Despereaux's case, what you look like, you can accomplish great things.

The book is suited for all age ranges, and it's a tale that you can share with the whole family.

BOOK #79

Book 79 with about a dog that filled people with some hope, and a whole lot of love. "Amazing Gracie" tells about an adoption of a dog, and how it leads to them making special treats for the dog, and it continues to travel widespread about the treats.

A good book for dog lovers, or anyone who enjoys a feel good story.

Come Back When You Can't Stay So Long...

So, this is the return of the book club blog. Welcome back. Or hello for the first time. By request, it's back. It's almost been a year absence, but hopefully it will stay regular again.

Wanted to say hello to book club member Voundilee. She is a reader of the blog, and so is Paul, her husband. Hope you guys are staying warm down in Texas. The library also wants to thank her for the card that she made (when I say made, I mean PAINTED!) and sent to us.

I will post a little something about each book that was read, but not like a normal post. I will start with the new cycle books, which started last month in December. The term "new cycle" refers to going back to the orignal person who started picking, and it starts again.

The book posting will start where I left off last year, with book 79.