Book Twenty Seven

12/30/2008 – Letter From Point Clear by Dennis McFarland*
Why: Gift from Erica. She called it chick lit.
Emotions Felt: kinda intrigued, mostly bored. Quick read though . . .
Remaining Questions: who really cares. Just didn’t like the book
The older Owen siblings--Ellen and Morris--long ago left behind their gracious family home in Alabama in favor of the northeast. But when they learn that their wayward baby sister Bonnie has moved back into the old place with her new husband, a local evangelical preacher, they head home to perform a rescue. Upon their arrival, they find Bonnie reformed, and pregnant. But she hasn't yet broken the news to her husband that her brother Morris is gay, and the preacher soon begins a campaign to rescue him.

Book Twenty Six

12/19/2008 – Here if You Need Me by Kate Braestrup***
Winner of the 2007 Discover Award, Nonfiction
Kate Braestrup was living an enviably happy life as a wife and mother, when one morning her beloved husband was killed in a traffic accident. Fighting her grief, she decided to follow his dream -- and became a chaplain to the game warden service in their Maine community.
Why: Pretty obvious. Needed inspiration and comfort after my mother’s death. Came highly recommended by the Red Balloon Bookshop.
Emotions Felt: I didn’t cry and I didn’t have an Oprah lightbulb moment but I did enjoy the honest, simple observations that she made about life. It made me feel that life really does go on. The book gave me pause when she spoke about her views on heaven and made me question my draw to Unitarian Universalism. I still want to believe in a Christian heaven though I doubt it really exists. I loved being able to ride along in the car as she experienced the up and down days of a game warden. The kind of author that you would really like to meet someday and talk more to.
Remaining Questions: How did she really get through the icky days after her husband’s death. I’m glad she made it through but heard more about the other side than the actually coping with the tragedy.
Who Would Like This Book: Not sure, but I sure did.

Book Twenty Five

12/11/2008 – Loving Frank by Nancy Horan**
Why: Heard about it all over (Red Balloon recommended)
Emotions Felt: anger at Mamah for leaving her children and claiming feminism as a cause. Astonishment at the ending and hard to believe it actually happened.
Remaining Questions: Really, did it really happen at the end? What happened to Frank Lloyd & Edwin Cheney afterwards. I’d like to visit Taliesen sometime if it has been rebuilt.
Quotes: none to recall
Who Would Like This Book: good, diverse book clubs for discussion. I did not like it nearly as much as the reviews have but acknowledge it as a quick read and interesting discussion of Frank Lloyd Wright, a man I knew nothing about. I have to say I thought both Mamah and Frank Lloyd incredibly selfish. I just couldn’t stand them unfortunately.

Book Twenty Four

12/5/2008 – The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay***
Why: Kate Nelson recommended it for our Stillwater Book Club. One of her mothers (son is a Nat’l Merit Scholar) said it was their top book club read ever.
Emotions Felt: reflection, lots of it. Bored at times but loved the characterization. I felt I really knew Peekay and his role models (Doc, Hoppie, etc.) I liked how Peekay seeing the snake served as an omen. It reminded me of my own snake sighting in the summer of 2007. I thought some of the happenings in the book were a little too neat. How he fought his wet nurse’s son. How he met the Judge in the end of the book. I agree that the book might have had more power had the last 15 pages been left off but understand that these events were also a part of his story.
Remaining Questions: Why did he hate his Mom so much? More of this story line would have been interesting. Was this novel really autobiographical? Is the sequel actually good? Is the movie okay?
Quotes: First with the head, then with the heart (Hoppie)
Who Would Like This Book: real readers

Book Twenty Three

11/30/2008 - My Life in France by Julia Child *
Why: I was pulled by the allure of France and cooking to learn more about this famous chef. I heard good things about the book while in Red Balloon – that it was a love story. Rachel picked it for what turned out to be our last official Vanaheim book club.
Emotions Felt: boredom, perhaps jealously but maybe just disbelief that someone would spend her days at cooking school and be so utterly free of commitments or worries
Remaining Questions: How did it end? I guess the book completes her life, including her sojourn to popularity in America and her husband’s death. I didn’t finish because I got bored with the quail and rabbit and other game meat. The chapters were too long.
Who Would Like This Book: Sarah loved it. Couldn’t quite understand why but she had her reasons.

Book Twenty Two

11/16/2008 – I See You Everywhere by Julia Glass **
Why: I have loved Julia Glass since Three Junes. She’s my second favorite author really next to Anna Quindlen. I was surprised to hear she had a new novel out and picked it up knowing little about it. I wouldn’t let myself read the reviews until I was finished and then was not surprised to see the comparisons with good chick lit.
Emotions Felt: The beginning was a little slow and I was confused about the direction of the plot. I could tell there was animosity between the sisters but didn’t understand it. I was remained interested because the author’s wording is so poetic and yet I think she took liberties at some points, waxing and waning a bit much. Too many men, so much so that I started to forget the characters. And I hate that Louisa ended up with a man from her suicide survivor’s group. A little too neat and tidy. I still don’t understand the title exactly which annoys me. I kinda think I missed something. And yet, I read and I read and I read. Pleasantly.
Remaining Questions: What happened to Roy? I liked him.
Favorite Quotes: I liked the part when Clem talked about her life going two ways and trying to catch up with her alternate life. I related. I hated the part when Louisa identified Clem’s dead body. It was too close to home right now and I started to cry.
Who Would Like This Book: I don’t think anyone would love it so I hate to recommend. But, at the same time, no one could say it sucked.

Book Twenty One

10/5/2008 – The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
Not much to say about this one, I guess. Given the book as a gift. Gave it away and the darn thing came back to me again. Still didn't finish it though.

Fantasy land, picked by Nancy Berven of the Stillwater Book Club

Book Twenty

9/20/2008 – Guests of My Life by Elizabeth Watson***
Why: Mary Kassera from Stillwater Book Club presented this book to me at our August book club at Water Inn. I gave her a hug afterwards which I think made her uncomfortable. It was a thoughtful thing to do. They understood so well the pain I was going through and the book was a salve for me in August.
Emotions Felt: Mostly understanding. The book made grief feel like a normal emotion and a courageous journey that continues on. From Dickinson’s raw grief to Whitman’s realization that life is constant and evolves, I understood that my feelings all were part of the experience and that the tears would dry up eventually
Remaining Questions: I hated to finish the book because I felt then that the teachings would stop. It’s a funny thing grief. You want it to stop but the stopping means everything will be different and you don’t want anything at all to be different from the life you once knew. I wonder if I will pick this book up at a later time and what it will mean to me then.
Favorite Quotes: “Even death, like the nettle, loses its sting when grasped with courage.” “When we accept the unacceptable, it has no more power over us. We can move through and beyond the experience.” I like this quote a lot because I truly feel Mom’s death is unacceptable and yet something I have to accept. Such a paradox.
Who Would Like This Book: Erica, I think.

Book Nineteen

9/17/2008 – The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner***
Why: Saw this book for the first time at The Red Balloon and was simply intrigued by the concept and the fact that an MPR writer authored the text. The saleslady said it was a fabulous book and one that she read when she was getting through a difficult time. This summer has definitely been a difficult time for me and I wanted to learn the secret to being happy. Weiner was an excellent travel companion.
Emotions Felt: Funny. The descriptions of the countries and the people he met along the way were so captivating you felt like you were journeying along with him. I felt like I was learning and enjoying the process at the same time. The research was stimulating and the narrative interesting too. I felt happy reading the book.
Remaining Questions: What is the real story on Eric Weiner? Why is he so unhappy?
Favorite Quotes: feevty-feevty and the whole Moldova chapter. Plus the epilogue.
Who Would Like This Book: Everyone who liked Eat, Pray, Love. Others would think it was too indulgent. I absolutely loved. It.

Book Eighteen

9/9/2008 – How The Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents by Julia Alvarez **
Why: Picked by the Stillwater Book Club. I, however, thought the book choice was In the Time of the Butterflies and had to rush to finish. Was not an easy, quick read but rather a series of vignettes that didn’t call me in. The writing was magnificent but the technique of writing the ending first and then telling the story backwards felt awkward. I didn’t finish (after going to book club) the last 100 pages because the rest of the book club felt much the same way and didn’t see the conclusion as tying the whole book together. I tried to convince the book club to read In the Time of the Butterflies which I think is a much more captivating story and a better representation of the unique talents of the author.

Book Seventeen

8/27/2008 – The Shack by William P. Young ***
Why: Stacey Prestegaard gave it to me when she was out for my mom’s funeral
First Impressions: This was my first religious genre book and I was intimidated before I started to read it. That said, I was completely caught up in the story. I’m not sure I liked how they kept referring to the “Great Sadness” as if it was some sort of cliché and yet I understood how Mack felt and how overwhelmed he was in the years after Missy’s death. Emotions Felt: Surprise at how modern some of the religious thought seemed to me: that God would be depicted as a humorous African American women and that Sarayu was an Asian women and Jesus a homely Middle Eastern man. I appreciated the discussion on God’s perspective on following rules instead of living in him. A lot of it just really made sense. The middle of the book was a bit dense for me and I feel like I would have to re-read the passages with a highlighter if it were my book. While this book was clearly trying to get across a message, the message resounded with me. He’s not an incredible author and yet he did something profound. His book made me feel like I could have a different, more intimate relationship with God.
Remaining Questions: Wish I could hear a pastor’s perspective on the book and how it would be interpreted by the ELCA.
Favorite Quotes: pg. 56 “In one day, he had spent a year’s worth of emotions, and now he felt numb, adrift in a suddenly meaningless world that felt like it would be forever gray.” Pg. 80 “I’m done God. I’m tired of trying to find you in all of this.” My favorite quote said again and again, I am exceedingly fond of you.
Who Would Like This Book: Anyone who shares my spiritual thought. Sarah, I guess.

Book Sixteen

8/10/2008 – The Post-Birthday World by Lionel Shriver ***
Why: Not sure. Was recommended by lots of independent bookstores and it was really cheap on half.com
First Impressions: This book is really, really long and a sad knock-off of the Sliding Doors movie with Gwyneth Paltrow. And yet, it was fictiony enough that I was very interested in the characters and wanted to know how it would end up with Lawrence Trainer and snooker player Ramsey Acton. The characters were exceptionally well developed. Interesting that Irina did not come across as an evil, unfeeling character even though she was a cheat in one storyline. She was a very real character. At first, I was very clearly wanting Irina to end up with Lawrence and thought I would get that conclusion. However, the novel seemed to say that neither outcome was better or worse, just different.
Emotions Felt: Much anger for Ramsey when he was being emotionally abusive, sadness and surprise when the couple became broke and Ramsey died of cancer and surprise that in both endings Lawrence and Irina did not get back together. In Irina’s & Lionel’s novel, the ending is not a Hollywood finish but requires more thought. I think this would be a great book club to discuss if it were not so long and naughty. Some of the fantasy scenes were quite indulgent for some readers.
Remaining Questions: Thinking about my own decisions and what my parallel universe would look like.
Favorite Quote: pg. 474 “Funny how you’re always waiting for your life to begin” pg. 483 when Ramsey apologizes and Irina answers back with the best moments of her life pg. 194 “But these moments were the stuff of life and they were the stuff of a good life (running out with the raincoat Lawrence forgot)
Who Would Like This Book: Maybe Kate but not sure. If you can get through the first 100 pages, the novel is a real winner.

Book Fifteen

8/5/2008 – Twilight by Stephanie Meyer **
Why: Everybody is doing it.
First Impressions: I knew that this would be the book to get me out of my slump. It worked. I finished the book in two days. I was initially embarrassed to have the book with me in public despite the fact that a million other adults are reading it too. This book is not the next Harry Potter. Not even close. It’s Sweet Valley High with a dark side.
Emotions Felt: Anger at Bella and the author that her character was such an insipid, love sick fool. I couldn’t get into the romance and that Bella would compromise her life wanting Edward to turn her into a vampire. I think the action towards the end of the book would make a great movie though. Jury is still out.
Any Remaining Questions: Wishing that Jacob had played more of a part in Book One. Hoping that he does in Book Two and that Meyer develops a compelling character. Not sure that Book Two is worth my time or my money though. What is the deal with Rosalie? And what are they going to do with Bella after her senior year?
Who Would Like This Book: not very cultured teenagers and those who have not seen Buffy the Vampire Slayer which is much, much better

Book Fourteen

7/14/2008 – Atonement by Ian McEwan ***
Why: It was cheap on half.com and a book I’ve always wanted to read.
Winner of the 2002 National Book Critics Circle Award, Fiction
Shortlisted for the 2001 Booker Prize
First Impressions: It took a few chapters to get into but the writing was absolutely wonderful and I immediately was drawn into a grand like (Cecilia) or dislike (Briony) of the characters. The book drew me right in as I wanted to know what happened with Robbie and Cecilia until the very end. The characters were exquisitely drawn out and I loved how the story was told during 3 different decades.
Emotions Felt: Anger at Briony and anxiousness for Robbie & Cecilia. I was a bit surprised that their love lasted throughout the war. I felt certain Cecilia would turn away from Robbie. It was sad to learn that they both died without ever really getting the atonement that they hoped for (because Briony’s novel could not come out until after the death of the Marshalls). I feel like I missed some of the ending in my rush to finish the novel and perhaps this would be a good book club to glean other thoughts.
Any Remaining Questions: I wanted to know more about the secondary characters (Leon, Emily, the dad, Paul Marshall and Lola). Each character was a treat.
Who Would Like This Book: Certainly Erica and perhaps others

Book Thirteen

7/7/2008 – Our Kind by Kate Walbert *
Why: I think it was a Barnes and Noble Har Mar book club selection
First Impressions: It was short and I thought it should be an easy read. Not so.
Emotions Felt: Bored. Kate Walbert writes comically about a group of women (divorcees from the 1950’s) that I care nothing about. And still, in her writing, I cared nothing about them. Not sure if there were too many characters strung together or I was just being negative in my reading of this story. I just didn’t feel it. Some of the chapters were compelling. The women who got photographed naked pregnant – and then had her child ?!@# and the fact that one women ended up in the hospice, another daughter committed suicide. It seemed a shame that the author wrote this as a short story. Her writing was so authentic and witty that I might have been entertained in a novel. Then again, maybe not.
Any Remaining Questions: Nope
Who Would Like This Book: The Har Mar book club, retired women who have been there and done that

Book Twelve

6/30/2008 – Amsterdam by Ian McEwan **
Why: Erica bought me the book for Christmas and it was impossibly short so I chose it to get some books of my to-read shelf.
First Impressions: I tried to read it months ago and in the initial pages the characters just did not warm to me. However, the plot line was quick and once I delved in, it was a better book than I expected. Incredible writing but not sure if it has a lasting impact. Nothing in particular spoke to me
Emotions Felt: Nothing in the way of morals came up for me. Rather, it depicted these two men who were rather self-absorbed and amoral. Perhaps I am not cultured enough (and the novel goes into the materialisticness of our society) but I did not enjoy the parts where Clive was creating his symphony. I think it was all a little too deep for me.
Any Remaining Questions: Like other readers, I wished that the author would go more into Molly’s character. It was an upset that she died in the very beginning of the novel. I knew from the beginning I would not learn more about her.
Who Would Like This Book: Erica

Book Eleven

6/29/2008 – The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz ***
Why: The 2008 Pulitzer Award Winner. Wanted to keep up my collection.
First Impressions: Wasn’t sure I wanted to read another novel about the Dominican Republic. I’m getting tired of historical fiction. But this was more a novel about a family. The pacing of the book was nice delving back and forth between generations of the family. The swearing and the Spanish kept it interesting and I liked the narrator – Yunior. All of the characters were deeply compelling.
Emotions Felt: I guess I felt shocked by the atrocities that happened in the Trujillo regime. I felt bad for Oscar, Abelard & Beli and the beatings in the canefield. I can’t imagine living in that kind of environment.
Any Remaining Questions: Most of the questions were answered in the end. I was sad that Yunior did not end up with Lola but it also made sense. I kind of want to know what Yunior’s story was and why he ended up smoking so much dope and cheating on Lola. I would guess there is a back story there. I would have liked to read more about any one of these characters – Lola’s future, Beli’s struggle with cancer, La Inca’s loss of her husband. There were so many pieces to this plot.
Favorite Quotes: “But if these years have taught me anything it is this: you can never run away. Not Ever. The only way out is in. And that’s what I guess these stories are all about.” Lola pg. 209
Who Would Like This Book: I have to believe that my Stillwater book club would find it intriguing if a little risqué. Kate and Sarah, I hope, would love it.

Book Ten

5/31/2008 – The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls *
Why: Suggested at our last Vanaheim book club, I think by Jess. Unfortunately, our book club never meets. I finished the book and the meeting got canceled. Oh well.
First Impressions: The book was very hard for me to get in to. I started finding it interesting when she came into her teens and they had to move to Arizona and then Welch, West Virginia. I wanted to hear more about how she made the transition out of poverty and moved to NYC. After a very long build-up, the end came fast.
Emotions Felt: The book reminded me of students and families I work with in Stillwater (the Wrobel family especially and Samantha Thompson). I felt terrible about how the kids rooted through the garbage for food and especially when Dad took her to the bar and she was almost raped. And when Uncle Stanley tried to take advantage. Though she described her parents with a great deal of love, it was clear that there was generational poverty at play and a history of abuse and mental illness. You could see that in how Maureen developed as a character later on.
Any Remaining Questions: Is this all true or just a James Frey phenomenon. Will it be made into a movie and who should play the characters?
Favorite Quotes: None that come to mind
Who Would Like This Book: I did not like this book nearly as much as all the reviewers seem to. I seem to be in the minority though because it appears to be beloved by all.

Book Nine

5/10/2008 – The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch **

Why: Was suggested by several people. Jess Olsen brought it up at the last book club. Can’t remember the context. Janell (Mom’s cousin) mentioned it on the Caring Bridges blog. I wasn’t sure I wanted to read it, at first, but given the situation with Mom thought I should give it a try.
First Impressions: The first thing that struck me was the respect with which Randy spoke about his parents. I could instantly identify with how he had “won the parent lottery.” I took a highlighter out and started marking down sentences, paragraphs and ideas that spoke to me. I liked the titles of the chapters, “An Injured Lion Wants to Roar” and I like how Randy didn’t sugar coat his personality, his disease and his relationships. He was unapologetically himself.
Emotions Felt: Understanding and yes, at some point, I cried. Profusely. I was touched by the times Randy spoke of brick walls. “the brick walls are there for a reason..” I am feeling a lot of brick walls in my life right now and wish I knew what was on the other side. It’s really hard to see what may come.
Any Remaining Questions: I wish his wife would write a book so I could grasp her strength and how she got through it. I can’t imagine . . .
Favorite Quotes: pg. 26“Kids need to know their parents love them. They don’t need to be alive for that to happen” pg. 62 “no matter what news we get about the scans, I’m not going to die when we hear it. I won’t die the next day or the day after that or the day after that. So today, right now, well this is a wonderful day. And I want you to know how much I’m enjoying it.”
Who Would Like This Book: Any one who liked Tuesdays with Morrie. Tuesdays with Morrie might be a better book though . . . .What was amazing was seeing him speak in person on the Oprah show. I really admire his attitude toward life. His computer stories are boring. Matt might really like this book though .

Book Eight

4/12/2008 – Fire in the Blood by Irene Nemirovsky ***

Why: Because Matt bought it for me for Christmas 2007 instead of Suite Francaise. Because it’s short and I am terribly sick in bed and bored.
First Impressions: The first two chapters are hard to get into. The author always shocks me with the number of characters and not knowing how they all fit in. After about 50 pages, I was completely consumed. Easily readable. I love how the chapters are all of different lengths. First and last impression is that Irene Nemirovsky is a masterful writer.
Emotions Felt: Surprise at the developments in the last 25 pages. I could not believe that the narrator who I came to see as an old has been was the passionate lover of Helene. I never would have imagined that Colette and Brigitte were actually sisters. This is the difference between Patchett and Nemirovsky. Patchett is writing a plot. Irene is writing a novel full of meaning. I absolutely got what the title Fire in the Blood was all about and how we look at life so differently in our twenties than we might later on. And how we all have secrets that shape our families and our destinies.
Any Remaining Questions: What happens? Irene always leaves novels cut short. In the end, “I had already started to love her less.” Was Silvio’s conquest of Helene just about passion and nothing more? What happens after Silvio opens the pandora’s box of his emotions? Does he confront Helene? Did Helene actually love Francois or does she still love Silvio? Do Helene and Brigitte ever reconcile and does Brigitte know that Silvio is her father? Do Helene and Francois break up? Does Marc go to prison? Does Colette ever find the predictable happiness that she feels she wants? And does Colette realize that perfection cannot be attained and that her parents have not attained it? It was like reading a soap opera but knowing that these characters are real people with real problems. Awesome, awesome, awesome. Can’t believe so much happened in so few pages.
Favorite Quotes: Every sentence is poetry but particularly pg. 18 about youth versus wisdom. Pg. 57 The way a man drinks in company tells you nothing about him, the way a man drinks alone, without him realizing it, reveals the depths of his soul. How profound is that? Pg. 188 The description of how love finds you
Who Would Like This Book: Kate Nelson and any other readers that I admire

Book Seven

4/10/2008 – The Magician’s Assistant by Ann Patchett *

Why: April pick for Stillwater Book Club. Suggested by Christine Hurley. Voted in by all because of Ann Patchett’s history of good writing (Bel Canto, Truth & Beauty, etc.)
First Impressions: I knew that this would be an easy book to read. I thought the writing was a bit chick-lity. I didn’t understand the characters or feel attached to them. Parsifal & Phan – a gay magician and his mate, along with Parsifal’s wife Sabine. I just could not relate It all seemed a bit fantasy like to me.
Emotions felt: Not many. I wasn’t surprised by the plot development like others have said they were. I knew that Sabine and Kitty were going to end up having a relationship. It didn’t seem that implausible to me that Parsifal would have killed his father. I was frustrated by the character of Sabine and why she had given up so much for this family and not developed her own character. The first half of the book in LA is good but the last half is entirely predictable. Easily read, but not much gained in the reading
Any Remaining Questions: Wondering if Sabine & Kitty’s relationship was emotional or physical and whether they remained in LA? Page 154 when Dot talks about how she admires Sabine for not having children? “The way they break your heart.” Really?
Quote: pg. 167 “Sabine in Los Angeles, where everything in the world was available to her, peaches in January, a symphony orchestra, the Pacific Ocean” I love the way she writes peaches in January. It’s the reason I want to move to San Francisco. Pg. 281 when Sabine is asking her mother about her past. “I want to know everything.” I can relate to Sabine’s loss and feeling like she needs to know every last detail because life is precious and you want to drink every last drop.
Who Would Like This Book: people who like Jodi Picoult. Not bad, just not good.

Book Six

3/29/2008 – Beautiful Boy by David Sheff ***
Why: Saw the book in Starbucks and was intrigued. Read the first chapter in Barnes and Noble and still held interest. Was recommended by Nancy Berven who used to live in Bay Area as a compelling read and interesting book for fans of SF
First Impressions: I knew from the start that this book would dominate my weekend and ensure that I got nothing else done. This proved true. I stayed up way past bedtime on Saturday night and yoga the next day was painful. Finished book in 3 days. Stunning.
Emotions felt: So much empathy for what the family was going through. Fear that this could happen to any family Sadness for the talent and potential that was lost. Shock when the dad David had his hemorrhage and nearly died. The book confirmed much of what I learned about Hazelden (secrets make you sick, you didn’t cause it, you can’t change it and you can’t cure it). The book also made me more informed about meth addiction. I think I will be more persuasive with parents about getting their kids into rehab and less ambivalent in my counseling.
Any Remaining Questions: I want to know how David afforded his lifestyle and how much money it took to fund his son’s rehab (family money?) I wonder how Karen (the stepmom) managed to get through all of this. Not much was said about their relationship. I wonder if the younger children will take up drugs (Daisy & Jasper). I wonder if Nic has had another relapse. I wonder if Nic Sheff’s book is nearly as compelling as his fathers.
Who Would Like This Book: This book was a painful, shocking and oddly compelling book to read through. I would suggest that all people should read this book but particularly parents of children entering middle school age. So important.

Book Five

3/23/2008 – The Awakening by Kate Chopin **
Why: Was chosen by the Stillwater Book Club for the March meeting. We met for dinner at Boutwell’s landing and had a fabulous book discussion in the library there.
First Impressions: The writing was fabulous. Lyrical, poetic & beautiful. However, it was a bit stuffy in an 18th century kind of way. A formal book to read. By page 40, I was captivated and finished the rest of the book in a single evening. Compelled to know what happened.
Emotion felt: Intrigue. Though my book club felt Edna made bad choices, I really feel she was truly depressed. I guess I have a different view of depression as outside of choice making. Edna was isolated and on her own. The only person who even tried to step in was Dr. Mandelet, present at the birth of Adele’s baby. I felt sad for Edna not angry. I wonder if she suffered from postpartum depression. The ending was completing shocking. Despite the fact I knew what to expect, I was still taken away.
Any Remaining Questions: All questions answered at book club with the exception of when Edna did the deed. It was unclear and an interesting debate ensued. Favorite Quote: It would be too hard to pick a single quote. When we were trying to determining the above question, members of our book club read some of the last chapters out loud. I wish I could have written a book this spectacular, lovely and enduring.
Who Would Like This Book: Feminists & English majors

Book Four

3/19/2008 – Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner *
Why: picked by Kelly for the Vanaheim book club. Her first pick so we felt we should honor her suggestion. I can’t imagine why she wanted to read it.
First Impressions: Easy, chick lit. Embarrassed to be reading the book in public
Emotion felt: Scared about being pregnant. Finding it hard to imagine myself in any of the characters or imagine Matt in any of the characters either. Instead of feeling that motherhood is blissful, it made me feel like motherhood is a nightmare.
Favorite Character: I didn’t like the Lia character or Alinde. Becky & Kelly seemed real to me but the others did not. Although I couldn’t entirely relate, I liked the character of Mimi. She was an absolute terror.
Any Remaining Questions: I want to ask my friends a number of questions but I’m not sure hearing their experience will help me. I get the impression that you can’t possibly know until you do. I’m also not sure they would all be honest. Will be an interesting book club, I’m thinking.
Favorite Quote: When Ayinde’s son Julian has heart issues and they find a hole in his heart, the doctor responds with something like: people survive a lot worse. I liked the overall message that everyone leads a messy, complicated life.
Who Would Like This Book: people who don’t read very often and are interested in kids. I’m still a little embarrassed that I read it myself.

Book Three

3/10/2008 – Greg Mortenson & Daid Olier Relin *
Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time
Why: March read for Stillwater book club
First Impression: Boring. This is not a writer’s book. Although the first chapter of his ascent to K2 was riveting, I slowly lost interest. Dr Greg wasn’t a likely character to me until I started to see and understand his character and travails more closely. I thought he was just a reckless youth in the beginning. It wasn’t until he was kidnapped and had the money for the school in Korphe and then found he needed a bridge and started getting death threats after 9/11 that I became interested in the novel and Dr. Greg’s mission.
Emotion Felt: Anger for war and also a desire to volunteer and have my own passion in life that drove me to the extent it shaped and inspired Dr. Greg
Favorite Character: I liked Dr. Greg and didn’t like him (at the same time). I guess in the end it was his flaws (disorganization, obsession with the cause) that made me believe in him and want to see him succeed
Any Remaining Questions: Is this a useful endeavor? Realistically, will we ever be able to keep up with the madrassas? Will Dr. Greg win the Noble Prize? And will Dr. Greg’s marriage ever last?
Favorite Quote: All the little quotes at the beginning of the chapters. And especially “when your heart speaks, take good notes” Judith Campbell
Who Would Like This Book: Democrats. Oprah viewers but not great readers.

Book Two

2/17/2008 – Julie & Julia by Julie Powell *
Why: I have wanted to read the book for ever. The idea is crazy enough that I would embrace it myself.
First Impression: Disappointing. She seemed like a whiny thirty year old. A far cry from Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love adventure in finding herself.
Emotions Felt: Nothing really. That was the problem. I felt happiness when her husband Eric and friends would come to her rescue. I could relate to the high school sweetheart aspect of her relationship and was jealous of how committed Eric seemed to her project and her success. Ultimately patient. Also disgust when she was killing the lobster and cooking the brains and cleaning up maggots. EEEEEWWWW.
Favorite Character: Eric. See above.
Any Remaining Questions: Do they end up having a child?
Favorite Quote: “the guy who makes sure none of it is unbearable. Not ever.” The perfect description of the perfect husband. I loved his compassion for Julie.
Who Would Like This Book: Not sure I would recommend it. Just lukewarm.
Other Books by this Author: First novel. We’ll have to see.

In Defense of Food

1/27/2008 – In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan ***
Why: I always wanted to read Omnivore’s Dilemma. When this came out, I wanted to read it instantly.
First Impression: I was completely drawn to this book and bought it instantly. I felt that it could make an immediate impact on my life and how I thought about food. I cruised through the first section of the book on nutritionism and found it so interesting why we eat what we eat. Couldn’t read fast enough.
Emotions Felt: Inspiring. Made me want to change my habits and change my life.
Favorite Character: Non-fiction. Favorite part of the novel was at the end when readers are given instruction on how to eat. By that point, I was completely confused.
Any Remaining Questions: How does one get everybody to read this book so cake and cookies and coffee and sugar are not a permanent part of our society and the rituals of eating these items what make us feel so good and whole.
Favorite Quote: Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants. One of those books I read with a pencil and knew I wouldn’t be able to remember or quote all of its genius.
Who Would Like This Book: Sarah, Erica & Kate. The whole Vanaheim book club ???
Other Books by This Author: Omnivore’s Dilemma, which I must, must read.