|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This month's selection comes from Amanda, who wrote to tell me that she was reading a great book that would be good for our book club. Please join Amanda and me in reading The Legend of Colton H. Bryant by Alexandra Fuller.
Described as "a story about the crushing realities facing blue-collar westerners, the once-proud pioneers who now find themselves the disposable commodities of industry and corporate greed. Colton is trapped by his circumstances, above which he'll never rise by luck, higher education, or football scholarship. Colton is an oil rigger's son destined to follow in his father's greasy footprints, knowing he has little if any choice in the matter."
I started reading the book yesterday, and was drawn a story that felt both familiar and foreign. The writing is terrific, filling my mind with imagery that paints a greater picture of the man and his life than the facts could do alone. About a third of the way through the book, I'm already thinking about the characters even after I've set the book down.
For this month's pairing, I asked Amanda for her recommendation for any drink that related to the book. "Mountain Dew," she said. "It's about oil workers in Wyoming and they drink a lot of Mountain Dew." I'm a little partial to Diet Mountain Dew myself, but maybe that's a little too girly for the cowboy crowd.
This month, we not only bring you a highly recommended book, but also some big news. For the second time since we started our book club, we have the chance to interview the author. Read the book and send me your questions. I'll put them together and send them to Amanda, who has agreed to interview Alexandra Fuller when she's in Texas later this month. |
|
|
|
|
|
What's on you nightstand this month? And I'm not actually looking for a list of the THINGS on your nightstand, just the titles of the books you have stacked up. Anything you might recommend to the rest of us? Anything we shouldn't miss?
Please be sure to add the title, author's name, and a brief description of the book, your thoughts and comments. |
|
|
|
|
|
Did you read Swimming Lessons this month? If so, how did you like it? Would you recommend it, or read any other books by the author?
Tell me more and give our September book your final rating:
***** = This was one of the best books I've ever read.
**** = It was a great book, I'd definitely recommend it.
*** = It was pretty good.
** = There were some parts that were OK, but overall not great.
* = Not great. At all.
0 = Didn't quite get around to this one. |
|
|
|
|
|
For this month's selection, I turned to our newest book club member, Susan. It was perfect timing, really. I mean, she'd been a member of our club for a few whole weeks before I put the heat on her. There's no better way to welcome someone than to make them feel immediate pressure. Please join Susan and me in reading Swimming Lessons and Other Stories from Firozsha Baag by Rohinton Mistry. I sure hope we like it. KIDDING. There's no real pressure here. If we were ambitious enough to have a motto, it would be "Read it, you might like it. If you feel like it. No rush."
The book is described in this way:
"Firozsha Baag is an apartment building in Bombay. Its ceilings need plastering and some of the toilets leak appallingly, but its residents are far from desperate, though sometimes contentious and unforgiving. In these witty, poignant stories, Mistry charts the intersecting lives of Firozsha Baag, yielding a delightful collective portrait of a middle-class Indian community poised between the old ways and the new."
If we could have called last year The Year of Memoirs, this year would for me be called The Year of India. I've read probably half a dozen books that take place in India or follow the lives of Indian families. Having spent so much time in Bombay (in my imagination) this year, I am looking forward to meeting more characters in the same setting.
For this month's pairing, Susan has recommended a Gin and Tonic - Bombay Gin, of course. And who can argue with that? Except for my mother, who I know would argue that the only things that go with Bombay are ice and olives. And if that's the worst argument we have, I think we're in pretty good shape. |
|
|
|
|
|
What have you been reading lately? Anything good? Anything we shouldn't miss? Tell me all about it.
Please be sure to add the title, author's name, and a brief description of the book, your thoughts and comments. |
|
|
|
|
|
Did you join us in reading A Tree Grows in Brooklyn in August? If so, have you finished reading it? Did you enjoy this book? What were your impressions of the tone, the main characters, the circumstances?
Tell me more and give our August book your final rating:
***** = This was one of the best books I've ever read.
**** = It was a great book, I'd definitely recommend it.
*** = It was pretty good.
** = There were some parts that were OK, but overall not great.
* = Not great. At all.
0 = Didn't quite get around to this one. |
|
|
|
|
|
As I was reading A Tree Grows in Brooklyn last month, I was reminded of a recipe I found in an old cookbook of my Grandma Zamora's (previously Niles, before that Vong). In the early part of the book, there are two references to a meal that her family makes - Fricadellen. Described in the book as both a tasty and inexpensive meal, I decided to check out the recipe.
I haven't yet made it, but it sounds delicious. Except for that whole meat grinder part, I'm just going to pretend that isn't in there.
For more information on the source for this recipe, come on over to GOnelsons. |
|
|
|
|
|
For this month's selection I turned to my friend Mary, who turned to her mom, who sent her to an old favorite. This month, please join me and Mary in reading (or re-reading) A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith.
The book follows a young girl, Francie, living in Brooklyn at the turn of the century. The writing is soft and descriptive, providing a quiet view into her life, family, and neighborhood. The New York Times described it as "A profoundly moving novel, and an honest and a true one. It cuts right to the heart of life."
Reviews from People We Don't Know
"Loved this book! Simply written, wonderful story, didn't want to put it down, you're left thinking about it for days. loved it!" - A reviewer
"A Tree Grows in Brooklyn was delightful, nostalgic, and fulfilling. It depicts a young girl who has the ability to savor life even though life's circumstances are often difficult. She is a poor and lonely girl who reaches out to improve her education without looking down on those who are less fortunate. There are many interesting tidbits of Brooklyn life in the early 1900's. I found this book to be very fulfilling." - Donna
For this month's pairing, Mary recommends Castlerock Pinot Noir and a pepperoni pizza, because if we were in Brooklyn (or even Minneapolis) together today, that's what we'd be having. |
|
|
|
|
|
What are you reading this month? Read anything new and interesting that you think we might like? Spill your literary beans here.
Please be sure to add the title, author's name, and a brief description of the book, your thoughts and comments. |
|
|
|
|
|
Did you join us this month is reading People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks? If so, how did you like it? Did you like the way the storyline moved through history and time? Did you like the author's style?
Tell me more and give our July book your final rating:
***** = This was one of the best books I've ever read.
**** = It was a great book, I'd definitely recommend it.
*** = It was pretty good.
** = There were some parts that were OK, but overall not great.
* = Not great. At all.
0 = Didn't quite get around to this one. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
