February 23, 2020, Meeting at the Six Burner Bistro

Submitted by Ann Sevigny

While it was a disappointment not to see Joseph’s photography exhibit, we had another great luncheon at The Six Burner Bistro.  We all hope Joseph has recovered!

The book discussed was Little Fires Everywhere set in Shaker Heights where the author grew up.  Two of our group attended college in the area and noted that you could usually distinguish the students from Shaker Heights.  There was a comment that there were perhaps too many “little fires” in the book.  These ranged from the Richardson family dynamics (particularly Izzy's relationship with her mother), Lexie’s abortion, Mia’s surrogate pregnancy (doesn’t Pearl have a right to know her parentage), and of course should the baby be given to the McCulloughs or to her mother Bebe Chow.  And, we would like to know what happens to Izzy.

As with last month’s book, this is being made into a movie (series).   The part of Mia will be played by Kerry Washington.  The general consensus was that portraying Mia as a woman of color will greatly change the concept of the book.

Business:

Stephanie says Joseph can reschedule the viewing of his photography before the March 29 meeting. 

Ann Fitzhebert:  Please let us know if a later start time for the March meeting is agreeable. 

Arrangements would be 12:30 meet at the Holderness School parking lot, then to Ann’s at approx 1:30. 

1.  The book for discussion at our March meeting is THE LIBRARY OF LOST AND FOUND by Phaedra Patrick

2.  Ann Fitzhebert will host the March meeting

3.  Book chosen for April discussion is POMPEII by Robert Harris, no meeting place scheduled yet

4.  Kathy has volunteered to host June 28 meeting at Mountain Fare Inn

Carol's Suggestions for our April 26, 2020 Book

POMPEII BY ROBERT HARRIS  278 pages, 2005

     - "Terrific... gripping... A literally shattering climax." -- The New York Times Book Review All along the Mediterranean coast, the Roman empire's richest citizens are relaxing in their luxurious villas, enjoying the last days of summer. The world's largest navy lies peacefully at anchor in Misenum. The tourists are spending their money in the seaside resorts of Baiae, Herculaneum, and Pompeii. But the carefree lifestyle and gorgeous weather belie an impending cataclysm, and only one man is worried. The young engineer Marcus Attilius Primus has just taken charge of the Aqua Augusta, the enormous aqueduct that brings fresh water to a quarter of a million people in nine towns around the Bay of Naples. His predecessor has disappeared. Springs are failing for the first time in generations. 

 GOD HELP THE CHILD  by TONI MORRISON   192 pages,  2016
       At the center: a young woman who calls herself Bride, whose stunning blue-black skin is only one element of her beauty, her boldness and confidence, her success in life, but which caused her light-skinned mother to deny her even the simplest forms of love. There is Booker, the man Bride loves, and loses to anger. Rain, the mysterious white child with whom she crosses paths. And finally, Bride’s mother herself, Sweetness, who takes a lifetime to come to understand that “what you do to children matters. And they might never forget.”
        A fiery and provocative novel, God Help the Child—the first book by Toni Morrison to be set in our current moment—weaves a tale about the way the sufferings of childhood can shape, and misshape, the life of the adult.

 

 THE MOMENT OF LIFT: HOW EMPOWERING WOMEN CHANGES THE WORLD by MELINDA GATES  288 pages, April 2019

      Melinda s unforgettable narrative is backed by startling data as she presents the issues that most need our attention from child marriage to lack of access to contraceptives to gender inequity in the workplace. And, for the first time, she writes about her personal life and the road to equality in her own marriage. Throughout, she shows how there has never been more opportunity to change the world and ourselves. Writing with emotion, candour, and grace, she introduces us to remarkable women and shows the power of connecting with one another. When we lift others up, they lift us up, too.

 

 

MR PENUMBRA’S 24 HOUR BOOK STORE BY ROBIN SLONE,   304 pages, 2012
      The Great Recession has shuffled Clay Jannon away from life as a San Francisco web-design drone and into the aisles of Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore. But after a few days on the job, Clay discovers that the store is more curious than either its name or its gnomic owner might suggest. The customers are few, and they never seem to buy anything―instead, they "check out" large, obscure volumes from strange corners of the store.

 

THE GIRL WHO LOVED TOM GORDON, BY STEVEN KING  272 pages, 1999

six-mile hike on the Maine-New Hampshire branch of the Appalachian Trail, nine-year-old Trisha McFarland quickly tires of the constant bickering between her older brother and her recently divorced mother. But when she wanders off by herself, she becomes lost in a wilderness maze full of peril and terror. As night falls, Trisha has only her ingenuity as a defense against the elements, and only her             courage and faith to withstand her mounting fears. For solace she tunes her headphones to broadcasts of Boston Red Sox baseball games and follows the gritty performances of her hero, relief pitcher Tom Gordon.

“ Despite its brevity, the novel ripples with ideas, striking images, pop culture allusions and recurring themes, plus an unnecessary smattering of scatology. It's classic King, brutal, intensely suspenseful, an exhilarating affirmation of the human spirit” Publishers Weekly

 

ELOQUENT RAGE: A BLACK FEMINIST DISCOVERS HER SUPER POWER by Brittney Cooper, 288 pages, 2018 – 2019

From One Review:    The level of analysis of the structures that weigh down black women (as a demographic) is so high, I found myself awed at how rock solid her case is for why we all should own our rage. She does not mince words or try to make the data, research and her anecdotal evidence comfort black men and white people who believe themselves to be good. She weaves feminist theology in with honest assessments for the realities of overachieving black girls who can not be fully convinced that their silence and submission will save them. This book has me speechless hours after finishing it.

January 26, 2020, Meeting at Stephanie's house

submitted by Ann Sevigny

On a bright and sunny Sunday in January Stephanie hosted book club and served us wonderful pea soup.  After hors d’oeuvres, soup and gluwein (German mulled wine, mmm) and before we discussed the book, Stephanie gave us background on the author.  Delia Owens is a zoologist who grew up in Georgia.  She spent many years as a wildlife scientist living in Africa in a secluded area with no interaction with society.  Thanks Stephanie – it’s nice to know her background and how it influenced the book.

The book:  There were many varied opinions on different topics.   Did the mother abandon the family because of abuse?  Did she leave because of mental illness?  Did she believe Kya was safe because there were other siblings to save her from possible abuse from her father?  And why on earth did Tate stay away all those years (not so much as a post card).  Marilyn picked up immediately the firefly symbolism as Kya’s use of sex appeal to lure Chase to his death.  Which led to the question did he deserve to die for what he did?  Who has the right to kill? 

A wonderful afternoon of questions and discussions.  Maybe we can all get together for the movie.

Speaking of which here’s the info on our next get together.  We are scheduled for a private viewing of

Photographs by Joseph Sywenkyj

Sunday, February 23, 2020  -  12:30 p.m.

Edwards Art Gallery at the Holderness School on Rt. 175

Lunch:  1:45 Six Burner Bistro, Plymouth

              

Kathy has been great to provide information and directions by separate email.  Thank you Stephanie and Kathy for setting this up!

1.  The book for discussion at February meeting is: Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

2.  Ann Fitzhebert will host the March meeting

3.  Book chosen for March meeting is The Library of Lost and Found by Phaedra Patrick

4.  Kathy has volunteered to host June 28 meeting at Mountain Fare Inn