Bookish Brunettes

CONGRATS Summer!!

2007-06-26T10:03:00.000-05:00

Summer and JP welcomed Cecily Nevada Elton yesterday (June
25th)! She was born at 5:45 a.m. - 6 lbs. 8 oz. - 19
inches. Everyone is happy and healthy!

May's Pick

2007-03-27T20:14:00.000-05:00

Thank you to everyone that indicated their book interest for May. We'll be reading The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel by Diane Setterfield.

Don't forget that we'll be reading A Simple Plan by Scott Smith for April.

Pick a book for May...

2007-03-19T19:56:00.000-05:00

I have narrowed down my very long list of books-I-wish-I-had-time-to-read to three I think might make for a good book club discussion. Please post your vote as a comment by Monday, March 26th. If you're post-challenged, then send me an email. [I have changed the setting to allow all posts without moderation--so 1) include at least your initials so I know you're not some random person voting and 2) if you see something inappropriate posted let me know so I can delete it.] I'll post the final selection on Tuesday, March 27th.

In no particular order, the books are:

1) The Children's Hospital by Chris Adrian, "one of the most deleriously imaginative writers in America" according to Alan Cheuse, book critic for NPR.

An end of the world story, where the only surivivors are aboard a floating hospital, is narrated by four angels.

2) The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel by Diane Setterfield

"A plain girl gets wrapped up in a dark, haunted ruin of a house, which guards family secrets that are not hers and that she must discover at her peril." from Publishers Weekly

3) Strange Piece of Paradise by Terri Jentz

Terri Jentz returns to the scene where 30 years earlier, during a cross-country bike trip, she and a friend were brutally attacked by an ax-weilding assailant who was never brought to justice.

March in February

2007-02-09T07:12:00.000-06:00

Hello,

We missed all who were not able to attend on Wednesday for book club. Overall, everyone seemed to have liked the book and Jill in particular said it was her favorite book club book so far!

We all agreed that the book was beautifully written… at times we felt like we were reading poetry! The history aspect of the book was woven in gracefully and did not dominate the entire story (otherwise Vivian would have probably stopped reading =). The characters were deep and real, Grace in particular seemed to be the favorite with her endurance, intelligence and sophistication.

We talked about everything from slavery issues, feelings about war and racism, characters in the book and moral decision making... what would we have done in the situation??

This was of course in addition to feasting on tapas and wine=). We celebrated Vivian's birthday as well with creme brulée, soufflé and banana fritters!

Next month’s book is Fried Green tomatoes… which will be an adventure in itself! Thanks for all of you who were able to come and we’ll see everyone else in March.
Happy reading!!

2007-01-25T13:28:00.000-06:00

Hello Ladies,

Just wanted to remind you guys that book club is a week earlier this time... February 7th. I decided on Bin 555 for the location at 7:00PM. I have attached a map and the website so that you guys can find your way. Its not totally related to the theme of the book but I fell in love with the place and food so I want to share it with you guys!!
No, no I don't own stock in Bin 555.... just thought it would be fun =)

In case you guys haven't started the book...its wonderful!! I have heard one other great review so far from Jill (through VCS) so get reading =)
If you're worried about getting bogged down in the history, its not too bad. The story comes shining through and its really moving. If you hate the book... no problem come Feb 7th anyway, have a glass of wine and tell us why!

the directions and website are below. Bin 555 is located in the back of the artisan alley complex, so when you turn into the complex go to your right and follow the road to the back parking lot.

http://www.bin555.com/sa/index_sa.html

BIN 555 is located in north central San Antonio in The Shops at Artisans Alley off Bitters Rd. between Blanco Rd. and West Ave.

From San Antonio Airport:
Take ramp onto US-281 North - 1.7 milesExit the Bitters Rd. exit - 1.0 milesTurn left on Bitters Rd. -1.4 milesTurn right into Artisans Alley at 555 W. Bitters Rd.BIN 555 is tucked in the back right corner.

From Downtown:
Take US-281 North - approx. 8 miles Exit the Bitters Rd. exit - 1.0 milesTurn left on Bitters Rd. - 1.4 milesTurn right into Artisans Alley at 555 W. Bitters Rd.

From 1604:
Exit Blanco Rd. - go 2.2 milesTurn left on W Bitters Rd. - go 1.1 miles Turn left into Artisans Alley at 555 W. Bitters Rd.

Phone: (210) 496-0555

2007-01-18T14:38:00.000-06:00

HAPPY 2007!!

I just wanted to thank everyone for an awesome January meeting! It was great to catch up after the holidays and start 2007 off with the entire group, plus a fantastic new member! "The Memory Keepers Daughter" brought up many topics that we all seemed to have strong opinions about. I am always thrilled with the way our group can cram so many subjects in to such a short time frame. Anyway, once again, thanks for the good turn out and I look forward to seeing you all in February. By the way, if you haven't started reading "March", you are missing out! I can't wait to hear what everyone thinks! Cheers! PS-For those of you who haven't seen our newest edition, he DOES exist!!! His onsie says "Chicks Dig ME", I think I am in trouble when he gets older...

Ice Days

2007-01-17T19:41:00.000-06:00

The "Winter Blast of 2007" (thank you WOAI) gave most of us two full days free from the frozen roads, windchill, and the office. With the thermostat straining to keep the temperature indoors at 70 degrees, it would have been a great time to curl up on the couch with a blanket and make some progress on the next book (or any book, for that matter). In true procrastination form, I spent my time surfing the internet and giving the blog a stylish new look, instead of reading to avoid other very important projects.

How did you spend your Ice Days?

During my internet adventures, I did come across an interesting site. Ever wonder what to do with that gem of a book that transformed your life/outlook/etc. and you want everyone to read? Check out Bookcrossing! (It's the ultimate book club.) See the life your old and admired books go on to live without you and the impression they leave on absolute strangers.

Anyone here ever come across a Bookcrossing book?

Welcome Summer!!!

2006-12-11T12:09:00.000-06:00

Hello Girls,

It was great seeing you all last week. I want to apologize to all those that did not get as much out of the Kite Runner due to overhyping... I am totally guilty of that =)

I wanted to introduce Summer Stewart to the Book Club! Although a blonde, she's really excited about joining and I think she will be a great addition to the club. Her e-mail address is: summer_stewart@yahoo.com so please add her to your e-mail lists.

thanks...happy reading!!!
Bijal

2006-12-09T11:17:00.000-06:00

I've noticed a couple book club blogs that rate their books, so I thought we might try the same. Here is the wrap up on The Kite Runner from Wednesday's book club gathering (I wasn't taking notes, but I was sipping lots of wine--so correct me if I'm wrong):

Jill gave it a 10 out of 10 (absolutely loved it)
Bijal gave it a 10 out of 10 (found it very moving)
Rebecca O. gave it an 8 out of 10
Veronica gave it a 7 out of 10 (mostly because she was expecting a 10; hype factor)
Vivian gave it a 4 out of 10 (too much history for her taste)

Both Patricia and Linda found the discussion interesting and may very well pick up the book and read it sometime soon. Sorry for the spoilers! But we were happy to have your company!!

Rebecca O., here is the recipe for the cookies (from asiarecipe.com):

Khatai Cookies

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups White Flour
1 cup Sugar
3/4 cupCorn Oil
1 tablespoon crushed Cardamon
Pistachios

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Mix the white flour with the sugar, and crushed cardamon. Next, add the corn oil and mix well. Make the dough into two inch round balls and put them on a cookie sheet and bake for 15min, or until lightly browned. Sprinkle finely ground pistachios on top of the cookies while they are still hot.

We also had:
Naan (bread)
Boulanee (fried potato stuffed pastry)
Murgh Kebab (Chicken Kebab)
Afghan Kofta (Meatballs)
Pomegranate Soda
Sweet Red Wine (Llano Estacado)

Hope everyone had fun!!

February Book Suggestion

2006-11-26T12:53:00.000-06:00

Hello Girls,

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!!! I wanted to give you guys a heads up on a suggestion for the February book club.

I was looking for books to read on the plane (I am going to Tanzania over Christmas break to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro!) and I came across March by Geraldine Brooks.

This book looks fantastic and it is intertwined with Little Women which we all LOVED. Definitely bring suggestions for books to the December meeting, but this is definitely my 1st pick!

This book received the 2006 Pulitzer Prize in Fiction. I have included a synopsis below:

As the North reels under a series of unexpected defeats during the dark first year of the American Civil War, one man leaves behind his family to aid the Union cause. His experiences will utterly change his marriage and challenge his most ardently held beliefs. Riveting and elegant as it is meticulously researched, March is an extraordinary novel woven out of the lore of American history.

From Louisa May Alcott's beloved classic Little Women, Geraldine Brooks has taken the character of the absent father, March, who has gone off to war leaving his wife and daughters to make do in mean times. To evoke him, Brooks turned to the journals and letters of Bronson Alcott, Louisa May's father, a friend and confidant of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau.

In Brooks’s telling, March emerges as an idealistic chaplain in the little known backwaters of a war that will test his faith in himself and in the Union cause as he learns that his side, too, is capable of acts of barbarism and racism. As he recovers from a near mortal illness, he must reassemble his shattered mind and body, and find a way to reconnect with a wife and daughters who have no idea of the ordeals he has been through.

Spanning the vibrant intellectual world of Concord and the sensuous antebellum South, March adds adult resonance to Alcott's optimistic children's tale and portrays the moral complexity of war, a marriage tested by the demands of extreme idealism, and by the temptations of a powerful forbidden attraction.

Geraldine Brooks talks about March: "In the early 1990s I went to live in a small village in rural Virginia. For someone raised in Sydney, it was strange to suddenly live in a place where the scars of a war endured all around me. There were bullet holes in the bricks of the local church where a Civil War skirmish had taken place; a Union soldier’s belt buckle was unearthed in our backyard.

Thinking about the young man who had worn that buckle was the beginning, in my mind, of March. The village is Quaker, which meant those who lived there were pacifists, but they also were abolitionists, who hated slavery. So the war brought huge issues of conscience for individuals who had to decide whether to sacrifice their non-violent principles to fight for what many saw as a just cause.

I began to imagine an idealist adrift in the Civil War, and that reminded me of Little Women, and the absent father ‘far away, where the fighting was’. This isn’t a book about war, but about the strength of ideas that drive people to extreme action. I am gripped by the stories of individuals from that generation Oliver Wendell Holmes described so eloquently when he said, ‘In our youth our hearts were touched with fire’.’ Sometimes, when I stand in the field about the village and the mists rise from the creek, I feel like a time traveller, born back by the spirits of all those vivid, missing boys. "

February Book Club!

2006-11-06T13:11:00.000-06:00

If no one has claimed February for hosting book club...I'll throw my name in...I have a few books in mind I'll bring them to VCS's and take your suggestions as well.

Love Bijal

2006-11-05T21:04:00.000-06:00

Ok, I have FINALLY decided on a book for the month of December/January meeting. I have chosen "The Memory Keepers Daughter" by Kim Edwards. I hope it is as good as the reviews say it is. It sounds very thought provoking and also, just maybe, a tearjerker. I hope it is a good choice for everyone. Cheers!

Our next book club gathering: December

2006-11-02T21:48:00.000-06:00

Hello Everyone,

Hope you are all doing very well. Just wanted to let you know that at the last book club, we determined that it was best to postpone The Kite Runner meeting until December...since the Scissors meeting was just last week. I apologize for the late notice. Thankfully, Jill reminded me that I should get the word out ASAP:

We will meet for The Kite Runner on the first Wednesday of December (Dec 6th). We will return to the 2nd Wednesday of the month schedule in January. Hopefully, this will work out for everyone...since people's schedules appear to be pretty tight. With the holidays rapidly approaching, we realized that dates in December get booked quickly and an earlier meeting might be best.

The January book club will be hosted by Jill. She will be selecting the next book shortly, so if you have any suggestions, please get them to her as soon as possible. Also, consider inviting new members to our book club. The crowd seems to be dwindling, so it would be nice to ensure the presence of 5-8 at each gathering. (And, no they don't have to be Brunette!)

Enjoy this perfect Fall reading weather. The Kite Runner promises to be good...

Some ideas for future months...

The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory

A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby (author of About a Boy)

Swimming Upstream, Slowly by Melissa Clark

Atonement by Ian McEwan

This week's Running With Scissors book club...

2006-10-27T17:57:00.000-05:00

So sorry this month's book club didn't work out for most of us. Jill, Veronica, Rebecca P. and I all shared a quaint and intimate discussion of this, as Bijal so perfectly put it, disturbing yet intriguing book. I'm sure the postponement of the date and the weather contributed to the low turn out. I'm still hoping that we can plan a date to see the movie together when it finally comes out. I can't imagine that the movie will come close to the absurdity of the book.

I'm enjoying Kite Runner so far and looking forward to next month's meeting.

Rebecca O.

Disturbed and Intrigued...

2006-10-04T07:36:00.000-05:00

Hello all,

Not sure how far everybody is in the book...but I have to say the title of this blog sums up my feelings. I cringe, laugh, and smile all at the same time when reading the book. Hope you are all enjoying and can't wait to see you all next week.

Bijal

RE: Book Club (an email from Rebecca)

2006-09-14T21:30:00.000-05:00

Since Rebecca O. can't post yet, I'm posting the email she sent out earlier because it pretty much captures the occasion just right:

We missed you guys last night and regret that you missed out on a very interesting discussion on all of our families, their backgrounds and unique stories. Thank you, Linda, for spearheading that discussion. It was fun to get to know you girls on another level. I'm not very technology savvy so I don't know how to post on the blog so I'll just put the word out here for those of you who weren't able to make it last night. Next month's book is Running With Scissors by Augusten Burroughs. I hope you all enjoy it and just brace yourself for some of the graphic description. I hope no one is offended. I loved the book and can't wait for us to all go see the movie together when it comes out. Happy reading and I'll see you all in one month!

Love, Rebecca

2006-09-05T19:33:00.000-05:00

Well, we have a real live writer on our hands! Not only did Patricia host an awesome meeting in August, she provided the reading material for it. The food was great and the conversation even better. And, the fun doesn't stop there! The book is going to be published! I feel so special that we read it first! Patricia, I believe this is just the first of many books to come. May all your dreams become reality. I can't wait to see where your journey will take you. Congratulations and thanks for letting us in on the ride. See you all in September!

Blogsite Baby Bait

2006-08-19T10:59:00.000-05:00

There used to be a time (a brief one) when everyone seemed to checked the blog periodically to see what was new. Funny though, despite being excited about new posts--the checkers never felt compelled to create a post themselves. (You know who you are because you're doing it right this second!!)

It's been a busy summer, I know. I'm just as guilty. I didn't even have a chance to attend Patricia's book club (I heard it was great...and I'm still waiting for someone to post the highlights). So, think of this post as a reward for checking back (and maybe, just maybe, you'll feel compelled to post--or at least comment). Yes, I know it's gratuitous abuse of cuteness (and I hope Jill forgives me for using the baby as a blogsite lure)... ta-daaahhhh...

Back in July

2006-08-02T22:15:00.000-05:00

Yes, four weeks ago Lulu was a fantastic hostess for "The Five People You Meet in Heaven." She had a very nice spread and those of us that didn't end up lost in Blanco, TX were treated to great food, and a fun night with some deep and lively conversation. We welcomed Rebecca, who joined us after recently having a baby and missed out on Jill's company, who was less than 24 hours away from having her own baby. After a couple busy months, Becky returned with a great haircut and graced us with her company. Vivian and Chelo, where were you? We said goodbye to Danni, who was headed off to the great beyond as a graduate student at Purdue--but later had a change of heart and decided to join us for another "last time" at our next book club before heading off to Drexel in Philadelphia instead. The more things change, the more they stay the same!

It was a no-holds barred conversation. I'd like to think we learned a little bit more about each other. We never did take the survey, but my guess is that we all rather enjoyed the book and found a thought provoking message in it. But that could have been the sangria speaking...

On a couple exciting notes:

We straightened out the matter of how we will receive and read our next book, "Worth the Weight," by our very own Patricia. She's looking for some feedback and I hope we can be helpful to her in this part of her writing process. Please let us know if you're having trouble receiving/printing the chapters. I think we're at 22. Patricia, perhaps you can provide us with some questions or the type of specific feedback you would like to get, so we can prepare our thoughts in advance...
We decided on September's book, Places Left Unfinished at the Time of Creation by John Phillip Santos. This book club will be hosted by Linda. As you may have heard, this book is also the "1 Book. 1 San Antonio." selection, which means there will be a lot of book-related events going on about town for the next couple months, like book discussions and opportunities to meet the author. In addition, Texas Public Radio will be broadacating the on-air reading of the book by the author beginning August 7th at 8 p.m. (@ KSTX 89.1 FM). See the side bar for links. And let me know if you're interested in organizing a group outing.

Hope we'll see you in August. (This time you can really say goodbye to Danni or maybe catch a postpartum glimpse of Jill --she looks great, and the baby does, too.) And then again in September!

Any ideas for October? Know of any good spooky books we can read...

Congrats Danni!!!

2006-05-25T16:03:00.000-05:00

Yes, it FINALLY happened... Danni and Manuel got engaged!! We're so happy for our fellow brunette. Can't wait to see you all in June =)

The Five People I Met At Book Club

2006-05-12T17:51:00.000-05:00

Was it just me, or was book club a blast?? We were a party of five (not including myself--and party being the operative word there). Maybe the weather was right and the book was good and ripe for discussion and everyone was in a terrific mood. Maybe the baby bell cheeses delighted us all or the library community room was perfectly charged...fun and books happened Wednesday night. Thanks Rebecca for hosting us!

(and, thanks to the miracle that is TiVo, I still got to watch Lost and get to bed at a reasonable hour)

Among our serious and scholarly dissection of the book, a tough question :
Who would you cast as Clare and Henry in the movie version?

Our next book (after Skinny Dip) is going to be The Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom. Every month we learn of a couple new and interesting books, if only there was enough time to read them all.

Timetraveler: why didn't you warn me?

2006-04-25T21:57:00.000-05:00

Is it two weeks until the next book club?

I don't think I am going to make it...

Some of you may find me at your office tomorrow, on the other line, knocking on your door. I have been sobbing for the last two hundred pages (maybe more). And the Spurs stopped playing long enough for Mike to notice and start cracking up at me. He was kind and offered a hug for comforting.

Wow (that's more for the book than the hug).

I love time travel.

I hope the next book won't turn me into a teary-eyed fool. Then again...

Danni... the hostest with the mostest

2006-04-16T08:41:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to reflect on the fun book club meeting last Wednesday!! The scene was perfect... Veronica's lovely patio surrounded by about 100 candles (Danni... was there some type of sale?), a nice breeze and a pitcher of mimosas! We began our discussion and quickly realized the book sucked and it was more fun bashing the author's portrayal of 5 desperate women searching (in almost every page it seemed) for a feeling, some connection with Annie, or just the need to cry and say sappy things. Great job Danni on the yummy snacks and overall great time! We missed our fellow brunettes who could not attend but there's always May!!

May's Meeting

2006-04-15T22:19:00.000-05:00

Just in case you are unsure about directions:
Maury Maverick Library is on Mystic Park between SACU and Fire Dept. #49.
From 1604 turn onto Bandera Rd going inside loop 1604. You will cross over Braun and Prue Rd, take a rt on Mystic Park (if you get to Guilbeau you have gone too far).
From 410 turn onto Bandera Rd going outside loop 410. Take a left onto Mystic Park (it is the first light after Guilbeau).

Corazon sin Fronteras (Heart without Borders)

2006-03-26T11:04:00.000-06:00

That is the name of the weeklong Literary Festival starting on Tuesday of this week at Our Lady of the Lake University. Headlining this series will be Sandra Cisneros, former literature director of the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center in San Antonio, TX and resident of the infamous "purple house" on Guenther Street. As you may recall, at our last book club we discussed Cisnero's House on Mango Street as a future book selection. Here is an excellent opportunity to participate in an "intimate conversation" with Ms. Cisneros and other authors throughout the week. Details of the festival can be found here.

A couple of the programs, including Tuesday's "An Evening with Sandra," Thursday's "Confessions: A call for Justice" with Demetria Martinez reading from her book Confessions of a Berlitz-Tape Chicana and Friday's "La Comida Tells the Story: A Woman's Workshop About Writing, Eating and Loving" and "Beyond Borders: Coover and Santos" featuring authors Robert Coover and John Phillip Santos sound too good to miss. I'm willing to get into work at the crack of dawn just for the chance to attend these events. Anyone interested in joining me is more than welcome to come along (and remind me it's time to leave work)!

Serpent Tattoo????

2006-03-24T18:36:00.000-06:00

WOW!!! I regret being busy for the last few weeks, because obviously I stopped checking the blog and missed Veronica's comment about the serpent tattoo. Hmmmmm it's quite the honor being chosen as the one to dawn the infamous serpent tattoo...if I wasn't deadly afraid of (in no particular order) needles, potential risk of infection of getting tattoos, and just the whole process in general I might have been "The One" to take on that task for the group.

Oh well, I look forward to seeing you gals in a couple of weeks (location TBA).

-Danni

Rebecca P's test

2006-03-19T20:16:00.000-06:00

Testing 1,2,3. I am wondering if this will make it on the site. Have I actually learned how to post a message on our site?

Good Times... Good Times...

2006-03-11T16:58:00.000-06:00

I'm so glad you guys enjoyed the food... I was worried the cheese may have been too pungent for some but it was all pretty much gone! As for what everything was here's the scoop:

White wine--> Frascati (Italian white wine) in the unforgettable bottle (from central market)

Red Wine--> Montepulciano d' Abruzzo (Boccantino) (from central market)

Cheeses: (all from central market)
Trugole (Veronica particularly liked this one)
Pecorino with black pepper
Ricotta-smoked
Fontina Val d'Aosta
Mozzarella- Central Market signature
Provolone
Havarti with dill (not Italian but one of my favorites=)
Smoked cheddar...yummy

Gelato from Brindles ( in the strand center- huebner and IH10)
italian wild berries
Stracciatella (sweet cream with swirls of chocolate)

I have already started reading the traveling funeral book and its pretty funny... the leading lady opens the door in her black bali bra to receive a package...haha

Happy Reading

Bijal

2006-03-10T08:23:00.000-06:00

Yeah Bijal! I just wanted to let you know that you did a great job hosting the book club this month. It was very thought out and planned. I look forward to actually having a glass of wine in a few months, but that is another issue! Thanks again for your time and thoughtfulness at putting it all together. See you next month!

What about that Italian Berry Gelato?!?!

2006-03-09T13:02:00.000-06:00

Way to go Bijal!

That italian berry gelato was like a trapeeze act on the toungue (and by that, I mean it was divine). I used to be a Brindle's regular until low carb became the fad. I may be a re-convert now. (On another note: Did you know Brindle's made the San Antonio Frommer's Guide?) Then there was the cheese and wine... Everything at last night's book club gathering went down smoothly. We're hoping you can post the delectable details in a future post.

What a turn out! We were a fun and garrulous group. The book was a hit...though we couldn't quite decide if we'd recommend the book to someone else. The verdict: it depends on who that other person is. I think we were all very vocal about the stifling conditions under which women lived and the choices they were given: marriage or convent. Under those circumstances, even happy endings aren't as happy as women of our day and age would like them to be. Still, even with all our freedom and independence, I can't imagine any one of us running out for a serpent tatoo leading the way to our nether regions. Though, if I had to pick the Brunette most likely to obtain said decoration, I would pick...uhm, Danni. She's young and spirited. (and she's the most likely to notice this post and comment back) Who would you pick?

We took care of a lot of business last night. The book for May will be The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. The May book club will be hosted by Rebecca P. We also have hosts for June (Debbie & Vivian) and July (Lulu). The club is shaping up!

Five Blonde Moments...

2006-03-09T12:05:00.000-06:00

What a remarkable book club gathering we had last night!

Too bad there was the mystery of the missing posts that left us all scratching our heads and wondering whether the blog was as easy to use as I made it out to be. Well--just call me Britney: Oops! Apparently, I'm not notified of some comments. Those go through some secondary screening process (let's blame homeland security) and have to be manually accepted by me. What are you guys doing? In the future, avoid using words like: terror, democratic, quail hunting and expunge--and posts should go straight through. Especially, if I remember to check in on the "moderate comments" queue. I think commenting as "anonymous" rather than "other" puts you directly online. I could be wrong. Of course, the easiest thing would be to accept my invitation, pick a username and logon to make comments.

To make a long story short: I found the five lost comments. Thanks for making them. As you heard last night--we're all looking forward to more comments and more posts. So, start posting and get reading!

2006-03-06T13:27:00.000-06:00

Hello fellow brunettes!!

Just wanted to let you know that this month's book club meeting will be at Linda's house and hosted by me (Bijal).
I live in an apartment and parking is a problem so Linda graciously offered her house!!

Looking forward to a night of stimulating conversation, playing with Mia (Linda's adorable dog) and flagons of wine!!! Just kidding =)
In honor of the book being set in Florence... I thought we could enjoy some wine, cheese and gelato! This is my idea of a complete meal but feel free to have dinner at home and snack at the meeting!

My Obsession with B&N and the April Book

2006-02-21T08:46:00.000-06:00

So after a long weekend in Baltimore/D.C., during which it got so cold at night I couldn't imagine going outside, I have become the most ridiculous Barnes and Nobles supporter ever.

I purchased Annie Freeman's Fabulous Traveling Funeral Friday while at the airport, and then for some strange reason ended up at B&N again Sunday were I purchased 4 more books before my Mom and Aunt asked me "when are you planning to read all of that??".

There were just so many book ideas thrown out there in the last week (by V mostly) and I kind of wanted to read them all. My crazy list of four includes:

The Time Traveler's Wife
The Myth of You and Me
Freakonomics (just kind of been wanting to read it, but I'm prbably the only one)
The Shadow of the Wind

With that said if anyone wants to borrow anything, just ask b/c I think I'll be working on these for awhile.

As you probably figured out from the picture attached to the post, I've decided on Anne Freeman's Fabulous Traveling Funeral for our April read. The deciding factor was a lady in B&N that when she saw me pick it up said...You'll love it!! Let's hope this stranger is right!!.

Enjoy the book and see you guys in March.

Danni

April Meeting

2006-02-13T06:07:00.000-06:00

Hi all,

So I have looked long and hard for book choices for the April meeting that are exact opposites of our last read (although I still appreciate the experience that was Wicked). I think I have a good sampling of books we will love to discuss and have a BRIGHTER time doing so. Since I'm not as good with the witty posting of comments as Veronica I will just get to it:

In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez
*** Based on a true story of a group of sisters in the Dominican Republic and their struggles for human rights during the Trujillo regime.

Annie Freeman's Fabulous Traveling Funeral by Kris Radish
***The journey of five strangers-turned soul mates on the course of a titular funeral, posthumously organized by their friend Annie, who died of ovarian cancer at 56.

The Myth of You and Me by Leah Stewart
***A story of an estranged friendship. Deftly exposes the passionate and particular bonds of female friendship, from adolescence to adulthood.

Three Junes by Julia Glass.
***It's about 3 people whose stories all begin in June. The stories are all touching, sweet, and funny.

Ok, so those are my suggestions...kind of a women's liberation/bonding theme, right?? Well, I have read Three Junes and In the Time of The Butterflies and think that both would be enjoyable for the group. Personally I was more drawn to Butterflies, but that's just because I kind of like true stories. I do think Annie Freeman's Traveling Funeral could touch on a lot of good discussion points about age, friendship, and death--not a comforting topic but an interesting one still.

Again, vote and post comments by Feb. 19th (please let me know if you HATE all the books above and I will go back to the drawing board).

ONE MORE READING SUGGESTION---for those of you that have read and loved Pride and Prejudice, try out this sequel Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife: Pride and Prejudice Continues. DISCLAIMER: I have been told it's worthy of a read...but I haven't read it myself.

Making a list for all to check twice...

2006-02-12T00:29:00.000-06:00

I've got a long list of suggestions for the upcoming months... While the host for each particular month makes the final decision, your input and comments may be a strong influence. Please post your suggestions as well so that this book club might reflect all members and not just the zealous blogkeeper. If possible, provide a brief synopsis or link to one.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

by Mark Haddon.
An autistic boy investigates the suspicious death of a neighborhood dog.
The Time Traveler's Wife

by Audrey Niffenegger.
Henry De Tamble is a Chicago librarian with "Chrono Displacement" disorder; at random times, he suddenly disappears without warning and finds himself in the past or future, usually at a time or place of importance in his life.
The Shadow of the Wind

by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, Lucia Graves (Translator).
A rare book opens a door into one of Barcelona's darkest secrets, an epic story of murder, magic, madness and doomed love.
Three Junes

by Julia Glass.
It's about 3 people whose stories all begin in June. The stories are all touching, sweet, and funny.
In the Time of the Butterflies

by Julia Alvarez.
Based on a true story of a group of sisters in the Dominican Republic and their struggles for human rights during the Trujillo regime.
The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America

by Erik Larson.
The stories of two men: Daniel H. Burnham, the architect responsible for the construction of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, and H.H. Holmes, a serial killer masquerading as a charming doctor.
The Clothes They Stood Up In & Lady in the Van

by Allen Bennett.
Two stories about the strange nature of possessions... or the lack of them.

The Penelopiad

by Margaret Atwood.

Odysseus's wife, Penelope, gets to tell her version of what she was really up to while Odysseus was away for 20 years, fighting in the Trojan War and traveling the Aegean Sea.

2 Favor, 3 Dislikes, 1 Undecided, & 2 Abstained

2006-02-11T15:39:00.000-06:00

That was the not so final tally for Wicked. It turns out it was either a hard book to get through, and in that case, it went unfinished, or it was a real page turner--which even sent one brunette to the sequel, Son of a Witch (that's 740 pages of Gregory Maguire in one month!). All those that enjoyed the book agreed, it was a strange start and if it was going to hook you it did so about half way through. Those that enjoyed the book seemed to reserve their opinions about it until reaching the half-way mark and then were compelled to finish it not by the looming deadline but by the plot (in spite of knowing that the Wicked Witch of the West dies in the end) !!

The book was seeped with so much to discuss...good, evil, magic, religion, politics, isolation, depression, abandonment, power, failure, social class, activism, sex, even eugenics. It's funny what you can learn about one another from discussing a book...someone had a soft spot for the miserable and failed Elphaba (how compassionate she must be), someone could recognize a parallel to the past and present tyrannies of man (how discerning she must be), and someone else was unsettled and unsatisfied (how tenacious she can be)... I hope the rest of you that couldn't make it Wednesday night, will find an opportunity to share your thoughts about the book.

Looking to March, The Birth of Venus promises to be an excellent read. Word is trickling in from all corners that it's a good one! Our meeting location is still being determined, but I hope to see and hear you all there. In the mean time, enjoy the new book and get your suggestions for April and May in the hopper. We'll need to decide soon, so that there's plenty of time for busy readers. Also, we still need hosts for April, May and June. Let me know if you're interested!

Confessions of one Brunette Book Junkie

2006-01-17T19:07:00.000-06:00

As a reward for finally meeting a work-related deadline, I decided it would be okay to pick up this month's book selection, Wicked. Even if I didn't really have the time to read it, it would be there when I was ready. The husband and I ventured out with our Half-Priced Books and B&N gift certificates and my short list of one book.

I was crushed when I saw the 1-inch wide gap next to Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister. I felt like I had just missed the book, and I just knew that somewhere, wandering around the store, was some guy with my copy of Wicked under his arm. As consolation, I wracked my brain for the authors of the other titles...was it Dunant and Diamanti?...they seemed too similar to be right and with my memory these days... Consolation, indeed! There were six copies of The Red Tent to make up for the lack of Wicked and The Birth of Venus and I wanted to buy every single one of them just to share with the gang.

Six books later (five for the husband--which he claims are for his mother), we walked out with B&N still on our list. (This post should really be titled Pathetic Date Nights of the Tired and Married.) Perhaps B&N has some magical lighting, but every book looked good and so very promising. I remember the days when as a poor graduate student I would stand and stare at the displays of books, picking one up at a time to carefully to flip through...then I would pull out a little ringed note pad and make a list--for the library. It was my "books-to-check-out-when-I-have-time-to-read-list" which I would tear out of the note pad, fold up and place in my wallet right next to my "CDs-to-buy-when-I-have-money-list."

In no time, I found Wicked. And then I found next month's selection. My husband said to me, "I thought you wanted the one." And I thought so loudly, "I want them all," I was sure he heard me think it. Maybe after two years, the poor, graduate student ways are starting to finally fade. Maybe the need for a little r&r is ringing loudly in my ears. Maybe the lighting in B&N was especially effective this particular night. I really did want them all. I counted at least five books I would have eagerly jotted down in that little note book if I was still in the habit of carrying it everywhere and making wish lists.

In the end, we left with three new books between us and a new calendar (with an astrological theme--to fill my recent quest for an "almanac" to warn me of an auspicious day for traveling). A nine-book night, not bad for a Saturday night. The bonus, those two gift certificates we were shrewd to take with us were never actually remembered or used. Which means...we've got another bookstore date-night in our future!

[As a follow up...I learned today from a fellow brunette that despite my wide-eyed wonder, I missed the 3-for-the-price-of-2-books-table (or something like that) which actually had next month's book on it. It looks like I'm not the only Brunette Book Junkie...]

Something "Wicked" This Way Comes

2006-01-12T20:09:00.000-06:00

I'm not referring to our first official book club gathering...

I'm referring to our book club selection for the month of February, Wicked by Gregory Maguire. After pondering the heavy and sad subjects of geisha life, I guess we were ready for something different.

There were 10 Brunettes! 1o Brunettes!

The discussion of Memoirs was interesting and lively. Our discussion ranged from comparisons between the movie and book (the kimonos in the movie hardly rivaled the beautiful and intricate designs described in great detail in the book; pale and flat Mameha, Hatsumomo, Nobu characters; the omission of Sayuri's emigration to the US--it wasn't really a terrifically happy ending) to themes of loss, solitude, cruelty, rigidity, rules, competition, superstition, tradition, and love. We even coined the word Hatsumomo as a substitute for the common profanity used to describe that person who vexes you and thwarts your happiness. We also pondered the age old conundrum: men wonder why women go through so much trouble and fuss over themselves then are disappointed when we don't go through so much trouble and fuss over ourselves.

Will there be 11 Brunettes next month? Hopefully. Other changes to count on: we have decided to make book selections two months in advance. This way, slower readers can participate every other month and speedy readers can get a head start on the next selection (or sneak in a different read). The book selction for March is The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant. Have extra time? Other book suggestions included The Red Tent by Anita Diamant (which had already been read by a couple folks and was highly recommended) and Saturday by Ian McEwan (say that ten times fast).

Do you have any suggestions that might improve our book club? Know anyone who might be interested? Interested in hosting our book club in April or May (and having the final say on that month's book)? Also, I'm investigating ways to make this site more interactive, don't be surprised to find an email inviting you to join the "team"--which will make it possible for you to post instead of just placing comments...

Sunday afternoon Memoir matinee

2006-01-06T23:24:00.000-06:00

Our movie outing is rapidly approaching! Everyone (that responded favorably) seemed to agree that a late afternoon showing on Sunday, January 8th would work best. We have two options that fit this criteria: 3 Pm and 4 Pm. I suppose I could pick a time and insist you be there...but with my luck I'd pick the one that just happened to not work for everyone. Please respond and let me know which time you prefer. We can plan to meet up 20-30 minutes early--that should give plenty of time to purchase tickets, make introductions and catch up, exchange some preliminary commentary on the book, grab concessions (for those whose pocketbooks or NY's resolutions didn't ban the stuff) and corral some seats.

Just writing about it is getting me excited for this first official Brunettes event!

Countdown to Memoirs...

2006-01-03T19:38:00.000-06:00

I hope you're not experiencing that old high school or college sensation...pressed for time to finish reading this month's book club selection Memoirs of a Geisha.

(I may have confessed to a few of you that I don't recall ever reading any of those mandatory classics back in high school...though it is entirely probable that the pressure and stress of the deadline may have obscured any enjoyment or memory of those books altogether--please don't let this happen to you in this club. Join us even if you're trudging through it but not quite finished--many of the discussion topics require first and foremost your opinion rather than a thorough reading. However, I can't guarantee we won't spoil the ending for you.)

To make matters more pressure-packed, the "deadline" is moved up by a few days if you're interested in catching the movie in advance of our meeting next week. Memoirs is playing at Fiesta 16 and it would be great if we could organize a group watch sometime in the next few days...Thursday evening or Sunday afternoon. Please email or post your availability and interest in watching the movie together. A discussion of the movie would be an interesting twist on the traditional book club format at our next meeting on January 11th.

If it makes you feel better, I was overwhelmed with work and holiday pressures but managed to s q u e e z e the book in here and there--imagine my surprise when I read it in an amazing four days. Guess you can say it hooked me! So, I am looking forward to not only watching the movie but discussing the book with the rest of you.

La Madaleine

2005-12-07T22:29:00.000-06:00

Who knew by the end of the night we would be the Bookish Brunettes?

At our inaugural gathering there was a lot of enthusiasm and good ideas. Thanks to everyone who was there to help us turn our idea of a book club into a firm plan.

Here's what we came up with:

We will meet on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at 7pm for approximately 1-1.5 hours.
Every meeting will be hosted by a different member that will choose the location of the meeting and facilitate the discussion for the current book selection.
At the end of the book discussion, the book for the next month will be selected and the meeting place indicated by the next host (of course, input from all members is always welcome).
We welcome any book genre, but there was some aversion towards scifi, books on politics and romance novels of the harlequin variety.
This book club is as much about books as it is about the gathering of friends. The goal is to provide a comfortable and friendly environment so that everyone feels welcome to contribute and share.
This book club is evolving.

Our first book selection is Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden. If you can wait that long, we hope to meet in early January, in advance of our January 11 book club, to watch the movie. Our first meeting will be hosted by Veronica at her home. More details on our movie outing to follow.

Also mark your calendars for:

February 8, hosted by Jill.

March 8, hosted by Bijal.