July 2024 and Beyond

It was an all female group this morning so no cootie shots were required. "People of the Book" by Geraldine Brooks found little favor from our readers. While the subject of the recovered haggadah was worthy of exploration the framing story of Hanna was not strong enough.

Summer schedules meant most would miss our August meeting AND our September meeting as originally scheduled. All present agreed that we would skip August and move our September meeting to Saturday, September 7.

Our September book is "Telephone" by Percival Everett.

Our October book is "Pachinko" by Min Jin Lee.

Happy reading!

Where were we?

So our March book became our April book when there was a dearth of readers for the March meeting. In April we discussed "The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store." Generally favorable but overall not a favorite. Mr. McBride could have used a skillful editor.

In May our book was "An Artist of the Floating World" by Kazuo Ishiguro. This book WAS an overall favorite. Well written and with underlying mysteries that made the pages fly. 

June was a tiny crew--Ann, Janice and Anne Marie. Ann and AM had finished our book, "Treacle Walker" by Alan Garner, but Janice couldn't make it past thirty percent. 

Upcoming for July is "People of the Book" by Geraldine Brooks.  Keep your fingers crossed that this will find favor with all.

Starting off on the good foot

January's book was "Crook Manifesto" which, although everyone present was enjoying, only Janice had finished reading it. Odd and inexplicable. It was decided that we would carry on and pick a February book regardless. Tony's sister's book group had had a good discussion about "Cry the Beloved Country" by Alan Paton so that was chosen. 

Our February meeting took place on a beautiful day. Greta's friend Stephen joined us. Reviews were mixed from those who had read the book. It was agreed the descriptions of the landscape were lovely. As Tony described it the book's three sections were Steven Kumalo's story, James Jarvis's story  and a fantasy of togetherness. After breakfast several of us walked to the Ferry Building to enjoy the weather.

Our March book is "The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store" by James McBride.

Entering 2024

The update from July played out as advertised. 

August: The Nichol Boys

September: Salt Houses

October and November: The Covenant of Water

There was a surprise for December. Only three of us were in attendance in November and we agreed to The Paris Bookseller by Kerri Maher. What a BAD book! One of the rare total bombs on our lengthy list of books we've read together. Whew. Even the person who suggested it (who shall not be named here) couldn't finish it. 

For January we will read Crook Manifesto by Colson Whitehead, one of our favorite writers.