Thankful for Book Club

We were missing Greta today and hope she feels better soon. The group was split on "The Known World."  While some thought most highly of this book others felt there were too many characters and digressions. All liked the quality of the writing.

For December we are reading "The Corpse Washer" by Sinan Antoon.

September October

In September, four of us met; Janice, Art, Tony and me. Those of us who read Four Souls said we liked it  a lot.

October's book is The Known World by Edward P. Jones

And because it is plum season:

This is just to say.

August Update

Our July meeting was postponed due to everyone being somewhere else.

August rolled around and many of us were still unable to attend but the few of us who were met at a cozy table for four. Janice, Ann and Anne Marie were the first round of book club participants.

It was agreed that "Far Tortuga" is a very challenging read and yet worth the effort. It requires attention but the time spent in slow reading is rewarded. It deserves its masterpiece status.

We are reading "Four Souls" by Louise Erdrich for September and "The Known World" by Edward P. Jones for October.

After the bill was paid, Greta arrived! Janice and Ann both had other engagements but Anne Marie stayed seated for round two of book club and got to hear about Greta's trip to Ireland. It was a very pleasant way to spend a gray, foggy Saturday morning in San Francisco.

Summer Reading

For June we will be reading "Youth Without Youth" by Mircea Eliade.

For July it's "Far Tortuga" by Peter Matthiessen.

For August it's "Four Souls" by Louise Erdrich.

Where to begin?

January 2014: The Flamethrowers by Rachel Kushner.

First of a string of really good books. This was universally praised for the rich writing. The plot line could disappear sometimes but one was pulled along by the intelligence and beauty of the writing.









February 2014: The Good Lord Bird by James McBride.
Very funny, clever perspective on the life of abolitionist John Brown. Again, highly recommended.












March 2014: The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri.

This one didn't get the discussion it deserved since only one of us had finished it.  Recommended by Ann Lew especially.










April 2014: Americanah by Chimamanda Mgozi Adichie.


This is in the process of being enjoyed by all. Even with some caveats we agreed it was worth finishing to complete our discussion next month.










May 2014: Americanah by Chimamanda Mgozi Adichie. Part two.













June is to be decided. There was a recommendation to read something by Peter Matthiessen but there was not a particular book settled on.

Other possibilities are:

Boy, Snow, Bird by Helen Oyeyemi.

Family Life by Akhil Sharma.

All Our Names by Dinaw Mengestu.

Bon Voyage to Mairtin. The rest of us will meet again in May.