July 2019 Meeting hosted by Marilyn and Diane at Millbrook Pond

July 2019 Meeting Review:

Thanks to Marilyn and Diane the annual Meeting on the Pond made for a beautifully enjoyable day.  We all appreciate the work that goes into setting it up.

Kathy led the dialogue on What She Left Behind.    There was some discussion re Izzy’s foster care, her cutting, the bullying and her eventual visit with her mother which leads to her finding the truth behind her mother’s incarceration.  

The majority of conversation however was about Clara and the sad circumstances of that period which enabled women to be locked up without proven cause.  Again, as we have such a wonderful group of women with such diverse experiences, we were able to hear from some who were directly involved in psychiatric hospital care.   The 1984 release of patients from those facilities was a major failure done without providing any help for many of those who had spent their lives institutionalized.  

We did get back to Clara and the book and it was a happy ending as she reunites with her daughter.  This was a book that, while not liked by all, was able to reach us emotionally.

The book chosen for September discussion (with the deciding vote of Mary Jo even tho we missed her presence) is:

               A FALL OF MARIGOLDS 

               by Susan Meissner

Next Meeting:

Aug. 25:    Celia’s           

Book:        The Inn at Lake Devine 

                   by Elinor Lipman

Sept. 29:  Claire’s Bretton Woods

Oct. 27:    Diane has volunteered to Host

Submit on         ​Discuss on

MaryJo……..    Aug. 2019……….Oct. 2019

Roz………….   Sept. 2019……… Dec. 2019

Stephanie…..   Oct. 2019………..Jan. 2020

Ann F……….   Dec. 2019……….Feb. 2020

Ann S………..  Jan. 2020………...Mar. 2020

Carol ………..   Feb. 2020……….Apr. 2020

Celia ………...  Mar. 2020………..May 2020

Claire ……….   Apr. 2020………..June 2020

Diane ……….   May 2020………..July 2020

Joy …….. …...  June 2020……….Aug. 2020

Judy …………  July 2020………..Sept. 2020

Kathy D………  Aug. 2020……….Oct. 2020

Kathy Z………  Sept. 2020……….Dec. 2020

Lori ………….   Oct. 2020………..Jan. 2021

Marilyn ………  Dec. 2020……….Feb. 2021

This is the schedule alphabetically by first name as we have usually done it.

People not here for submittal date can always send by email.

Celia, I realize this is not good for you, maybe Claire or Diane can exchange with you – it’s still a long time away.

Kathy Z, thanks for your note, looks like if you swap with Judy it will work out fine.

Claire, Joy, Kathy D, and Ann S will be in Scotland for the July 2020 Meeting.

Joy's Suggestions for our September Book

Book Club Selections for September 2019

The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women, by Kate Moore, 2017, 496 pages

The Curies' newly discovered element of radium makes gleaming headlines across the nation as the fresh face of beauty, and wonder drug of the medical community. From body lotion to tonic water, the popular new element shines bright in the otherwise dark years of the First World War. Meanwhile, hundreds of girls toil amidst the glowing dust of the radium-dial factories. The glittering chemical covers their bodies from head to toe; they light up the night like industrious fireflies. With such a coveted job, these "shining girls" are the luckiest alive — until they begin to fall mysteriously ill. But the factories that once offered golden opportunities are now ignoring all claims of the gruesome side effects, and the women's cries of corruption. And as the fatal poison of the radium takes hold, the brave shining girls find themselves embroiled in one of the biggest scandals of America's early 20th century, and in a groundbreaking battle for workers' rights that will echo for centuries to come.

(A tie for last Month)

The Woman in the Window, by A.J. Finn, 2018, 464 pages

Anna Fox lives alone – a recluse in her NY city home, an agoraphobic, unable to venture outside. She spends her day drinking too much wine, watching old movies, recalling happier times, and spying on her neighbors. Then the Russells move into the house across the way. The perfect family. But when Anna gazes out her window one night, she sees something she shouldn’t and her world begins to crumble. From an alcoholic’s mind? What is Real and What is imagined? Who is in danger? A thriller!

An American Marriage, by Tayari Jones, 2018, 321 pages

Newlyweds Celestial and Roy are the embodiment of both the American Dream and the New South. He is a young executive, and she is an artist on the brink of an exciting career. But as they settle into the routine of their life together, they are ripped apart by circumstances neither could have imagined. Roy is arrested and sentenced to twelve years for a crime Celestial knows he didn’t commit. Though fiercely independent, Celestial finds herself bereft and unmoored, taking comfort in Andre, her childhood friend, and best man at their wedding. As Roy’s time in prison passes, she is unable to hold on to the love that has been her center. After five years, Roy’s conviction is suddenly overturned, and he returns to Atlanta ready to resume their life together.

This stirring love story is a profoundly insightful look into the hearts and minds of three people who are at once bound and separated by forces beyond their control. An American Marriage is a masterpiece of storytelling, an intimate look deep into the souls of people who must reckon with the past while moving forward—with hope and pain—into the future.

A Fall of Marigolds, by Susan Meissner, 2014, 399 pages

A beautiful scarf connects two women touched by tragedy in this compelling, emotional novel.
September 1911. On Ellis Island in New York Harbor, nurse Clara Wood cannot face returning to Manhattan, where the man she loved fell to his death in the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire. Then, while caring for a fevered immigrant whose own loss mirrors hers, she becomes intrigued by a name embroidered onto the scarf he carries...and finds herself caught in a dilemma that compels her to confront the truth about the assumptions she’s made. What she learns could devastate her—or free her.
September 2011. On Manhattan’s Upper West Side, widow Taryn Michaels has convinced herself that she is living fully, working in a charming specialty fabric store and raising her daughter alone. Then a long-lost photograph appears in a national magazine, and she is forced to relive the terrible day her husband died in the collapse of the World Trade Towers...the same day a stranger reached out and saved her. But a chance reconnection and a century-old scarf may open Taryn’s eyes to the larger forces at work in her life.

The Letter by Kathryn Hughes, 2015, pages 200+

Every so often a love story comes along to remind us that sometimes, in our darkest hour, hope shines a candle to light our way.

Tina Craig longs to escape her violent husband. She works all the hours God sends to save up enough money to leave him, also volunteering in a charity shop to avoid her unhappy home. Whilst going through the pockets of a second-hand suit, she comes across an old letter, the envelope firmly sealed and unfranked. Tina opens the letter and reads it - a decision that will alter the course of her life for ever...

Billy Stirling knows he has been a fool, but hopes he can put things right. On 4th September 1939 he sits down to write the letter he hopes will change his future. It does - in more ways than he can ever imagine...

The Letter tells the story of two women, born decades apart, whose paths are destined to cross and how one woman's devastation leads to the other's salvation.

June 30, Meeting at Mountain Fare Inn, Campton, NH

Thanks to Kathy for hosting the June Meeting.  The Inn was a great place to have it.  In addition to the usual epicurean delights brought by our members, Kathy shared Tasty leftovers from her weekend group and we even had leftovers for home. 

Through the rain Judy arrived with her copy of Educated marked with more than the usual colorful tabs.   She started out by reading us a short description of Tara Westover’s book.  While it cannot be said that it was “enjoyable” due to the subject matter, it was extremely readable and was one of those books where all members read on to the end.  As always strong opinions were expressed.  Why did she try for so many years to be a part of a family where abuse was ignored and women treated as subordinates?  Personal and moving experiences were shared which added perspective to this question and helped our understanding.  There were lengthy discussions and Judy kept us on track. 

While questions were raised regarding some statements or situations in the book, we agreed that she is a survivor of deprivation who became a strong brilliant woman.  This is a book we won’t forget.  

The book Chosen for August 25 Meeting (with the help of Mary Jo) is The Inn At Lake Devine by Elinor Lipman.

July 28:    At the Pond, 1 p.m.      

Book:  What She Left Behind

Aug. 25:   Celia’s            

Book:  The Inn at Lake Devine

Sept. 29:  Claire’s Bretton Woods

                              

Marilyn (Joy)   Submit July      For Sept.

Mary Jo                       Aug.         Oct.

Roz                              Sept.       Dec. 

Stephanie                    Oct.         Jan. 2020