What a fun gift exchange and amazing dinner hosted by Carol!  Everything was so perfect it was hard to believe Carol had been up to work @330am today - super woman no doubt!  The discussion around a book that was loved and not so loved should make Natalie proud she picked well and now I look forward to Carolyn's December read.

"419" is Carolyn's choice and the author is Will Ferguson.  As noted by Barb if you order it online at Amazon or Indigo it will be cheaper than picking it up in the bookstore.

Here's hoping everyone has a wonderful holiday season, until next year happy reading and thanks to all of you for making this a fantastic book club... you've made/helped me read some wonderful books this year and I look forward to the books yet to be read in 2013.  Happy Happy!

Next book to read is...

Natalie's pick is: Half Blood Blues
Author: Esi Edugyan

Tuesday December 4th book club is at Carol's house
1028 Queen St. East - apparently you can park on Queen for free.

Carol's note says: "I will leave the front door open as I have no doorbell. Come and if you don't, you are lame."  Honest... that's what she wrote! She also wrote "Don't forget your gift!"

December date is a Tuesday as well - Dec.4th

Don't forget to mark your calendar as well for a  Tuesday in December - Carol is hosting and her blog post says she's fine with the switch of dates so Tuesday December 4th is at her house!

November Book Club Details

Based on the feedback on the blog, November's book club will be on Tuesday November 6th. We will meet at the location of the first meeting of our club:

Il Gatto Nero, 720 College Street (Crawford) at 7:00pm. The restaurant is 3 blocks east of Ossington. 

I have made a reservation for 10 people. Please let us know if you will be attending.

Dawn will facilitate the discussion and Natalie will come with her book choice from the Giller Prize list for our December read. See you all soon.

October book choice

Hi all,

Thanks again Jacqueline for such a great dinner!  So, seeing that my first two choices for this months book were so fabulous that you all have already read them, I had to go back to the drawing board.

I think this choice came to me in a vision...just like Anastasia Steele (if you don't know who she is, your either denying it or your depriving yourself....) I woke up late one night after a dream where i was hearing: Nelly Oleson....Nelly Oleson...over and over again, and only to see a tall woman's figure at the end of my bed that vaguely resembled Carolyn B!

So, this months choice will be Confessions of a Prairie Bitch: How I survived Nellie Oleson's and Learned to Love Being Hated by Alison Arngrim. It is supposed to be quite funny.

Happy reading!

Dawn

Great dinner and conversation!

Who knew eating cheese & chocolate could bring such satisfaction... yes the other bits like veggies and sausages enhanced the meal along with a variety of interesting wines but truly cheese & chocolate did it for me!  Jacqueline thanks for introducing me to a new type of cheese, I felt very European just like the book although I don't buy into the idea Hotel du Lac was an institution! 

Carol - I liked this book so does that mean you didn't? You were missed - have fun in Italy!

Date Change?

Please check your calendars and see if it's possible for November & December Book club to switch to the first TUESDAY of the month... That would mean the dates would be Tuesday November November 6th & Tuesday December 4th for book club.  November is at the restaurant on College but December is at Carol's place so we'll only switch December if it works for Carol.

October 2012 Book Club

Hotel du Lac is set on the shores of Lake Geneva, unfortunately I know this thanks to Wikipedia and not because I have started the book. I am excited about serving raclette, a traditional Swiss dish, and Swiss inspired chocolate fondue for dessert. The view will be the shores of Lake Ontario, daylight and weather permitting!

Time: 7 p.m.
Place: 4201-2191 Yonge Street (North Tower)
South/East corner of Yonge & Eglinton
Underground public parking is available – look for the blue P just after the TD bank sign.

September's book

"Hotel du Lac" by Anita Brookner is the book to read before Oct. book club! Only 184 pages so possible in three weeks!  Next month meeting is at Jacqueline's house.

Sept. 10th Book Club @Rusholme Road

Next Monday's book club is at my house, 218 Rusholme Road which is Dovercourt & College area.  There's parking on the street in front of the house, my door is the door on the right (it's a duplex so there are two doors).  416-535-5785 home phone.

Don't forget this month we are due to decide which book (if any) we'd award the Pulitzer Prize... I'd like to nominate Christine to lead the discussion as to which one we thought deserved the award after we discuss Train Dreams.

Please let me know if you have any food issues I need to work around as I'm happy to adapt, currently just planning a simple meal of veggie lasagna, salad etc.   Look forward to seeing everyone next week.  Happy Labour Day, enjoy the end of summer!

Olive Oil Cake

Here it is:

Olive Oil Cake: Ladi Tourta Recipe : Cat Cora : Food Network

www.foodnetwork.com

Carolyn - nothing seems to stop you...

First a power outage, then potential rain but nothing seemed to damper the evening!  Power came back on, wine flowed and rain held off until we all were heading home!  A delicious meal and amazing olive oil cake which everyone wants the recipe for - Carolyn thanks for taking such good care of us and hosting a great evening!

Next month the book to read if you've not read it already is Train Dreams... it's small enough that everyone can find time to read the full book!   Christine's grading system for awarding the Pulitzer on online so remember you need to grade when you finish reading.

Enjoy the rest of your summer - see everyone in September.  I'm still looking for a good summertime read (something more than 50 shades of grey) so if anyone has suggestions please post them!

For those interested in Italian settings mystery that's a quick read, try Donna Leon mystery books set in Venice.  They are simple, main character is a police detective who's wife works as a professor at the local university... makes you long for the life style of Italy - long lunches & dinners with amazing food and a completely different culture around eating!

Swamplandia!

I am looking forward to hosting a seth surprise, this Monday August 13, 2102.
508 Brunswick Ave.,
416 921 2842

Who will coming to this murky, swampy, hot event?

WHAT A WEEKEND!!

Thank you Laura for hosting a wonderful retreat on Lake Simcoe.  The salmon was delicious, the wine flowed, the sun shone, and the island kept us afloat.  We even managed to discuss some philosophical ideas that "The Pale King" provoked.  Carolyn was struck by the importance of Civics.  We discussed why people are inattentive to what's going on outside of their world, and how we don't allow ourselves or our children to experience boredom.  Barb (our inspired "body"/fitness guru) led me and Elva through a mini boot camp! (see comment for routine).  Next book is "Swamplandia" and Carolyn will be hosting.  Note: In order to select our Pulitzer fairly, "The Pale King" must be read.  We are extending the reading deadline on "The Pale King" until September (so you are not out in the clear Marney!!! tee hee!!)

Cottage Retreat

Hello Ladies:
This Saturday July 7th is the start of the cottage retreat. I just spent the long weekend there and it was glorious. I am happy to report as of this weekend there is a new addition to the water front...."the aqua island" thank you Costco, it is a 7 person floating island equipped with coolers and chairs and a little foot bath in the middle!  I can't decide if this is where we will discuss the Pale King or inside during dinner !!! I am pretty sure I know that 7 of us are going to be there, but just reply to the blog so I can be certain.  The weekend itinerary is as follows: I will likely be up there before 10:00am.  Let me know if you are coming up during the day and I will count you in for a light lunch.  I will also be cooking dinner for you all in true host style. dinner will be when our appetites say so but around 7:00pm just so you can pace your snacking.  Then the night is ours, late night swim, bon fire, what ever we want. Saturday can be exercise day filled with biking, running and most importantly lounging on the island drinking! Sunday morning we do breakfast, we can all chip in and then the men folk and kids are welcome to joining us anytime after 11:00 am roughly. For Sunday if you are bringing your family and kids, let's do a collective pot luck bbq style as we have done in the past, please respond to the blog so we have an idea of what we need for the family feast. I have burgers and sliders as a start. From there all kids and men are welcome there are 10,000 beach toys and lots to do....did I mention the island! Bring life jackets for your kids.  Other than that there are fresh sheets on all the beds, there are 3 queens in the main cottage and 2 doubles and 2 singles up stairs in the back bunkie.  The directions:
1041 Lake drive
Take 401 to 404 north
Exit Green Lane (final exit on 404) turn right
Left (first left) on woodbine avenue
Take woodbine all the way to the end you will turn left just past J.C Trailers (yellow sign)
Take this little woodbine extension to the lake,
Turn left at lake
3rd cottage on your left
There is no phone number just call my cell 416-518-8167

See you then!

Pulitzer Criteria Questions

Ok, so not too fancy. Here is how I am rating the next three books.

1)  American Story
  1                            2                          3                           4                              5
(strongly disagree)                                                                                         (strongly agree)

2) Unique POV/Style
  1                             2                            3                          4                              5

3) Original Subject Matter
  1                             2                             3                          4                              5

4) Stand the Test of Time (ie. will become a literature classic in the future)
  1                             2                              3                         4                              5

5) Relevant to the current political climate
  1                             2                              3                          4                             5

6) Exciting Read (ie. excellent book)
  1                            2                                3                          4                            5


Highest Rating possible is 30/30.  Highest rated book wins the College Street Book
Club Pulitzer!!

Elva - another amazing book club!

Yes we were a smaller group, only seven of us but you'd never know that if you were a fly on the wall listening to all the conversation around the book.  Elva - the meal was delicious and you seemed to be a stress-free host which is amazing considering you have two young children.  Thank God for husbands! Thanks so much for hosting, it was such a fun evening.

Carol - your phone call ensuring we all knew what to discuss was wonderful and your presence was missed... Laura read the wrong book so she wasn't able to guide us as to all the religious symbolism... we did manage to discuss the family names of Devine vs Seller and the book title of Galore... if you're able to book us time with the author our question list is endless!  A good book choice even though I personally didn't think I liked the book... loads of discussion which in my opinion makes it a perfect book club choice.

Just so there's no confusion next month we are reading.... The Pale King!  Enjoy!

The Slap on TVO Monday's @10pm

Starting this Monday June 4th the Australian drama "The Slap" is on @10pm if you have a PVR.  I think it's an 8part series and have no idea if it's worth watching or not but likely worth checking out.

June 4th Book Club - Galore

Hello Everyone,  Just a friendly reminder that book club is at my house next Monday.  

I am at 353 Greer Road.  Avenue Road and Lawrence area.  We are south of Wilson Ave and north of Larwrence.  We are East of Avenue Road and West of Yonge.

Hope you can all make it!

Have a great week.

Elva

(416)789-2966 home

Another great book club - thanks Barb D.

Barb, many thanks for hosting on such short notice, nothing like a woman who can work full-time and pull off a wonderful homemade meal on one day notice - impressive!

The food was delicious, the wine flowed and as always the conversation never stopped - gotta love book club... Natalie you were missed!  It's always fun to learn who liked the book who didn't... I've decided that it is highly unlikely that Carol and I will ever LOVE the same book but I love talking about books with her!

New host list and book list is posted so please take note of the changes.  See you next month.

June, July & August books

You be the judge - what book should have won the Pulitzer Prize for 2012!!!

June = Train Dreams by Denis Johnson (Farrar, Straus and Giroux)

A novella about a day laborer in the old American West, bearing witness to terrors and glories with compassionate, heartbreaking calm.

July = Swamplandia! by Karen Russell (Alfred A. Knopf)

An adventure tale about an eccentric family adrift in its failing alligator-wrestling theme park, told by a 13-year-old heroine wise beyond her years.

August = The Pale King, by the late David Foster Wallace

A posthumously completed novel, animated by grand ambition, that explores boredom and bureaucracy in the American workplace.

Carol's book choice for May

Carol's selection for May is "Galore" by Michael Crummey.  Enjoy!
 

FYI - Monday May 7th at Barb D. house

Just so everyone's on the same page tomorrow night book club is at Barb D. house which is 4 Croft... read the post from Barb to get directions.  See everyone there.

Unless we hear otherwise

I don't know if Barb M is around so I am offering to host book club at my house. I will serve a few salads and order pizza. Nothing fancy. Some pizzas will be veggie. Let me know if you have a special request.

I'm at 4 Croft Street which to the uninitiated is a back alley 1.5 blocks west of Bathurst just north of College. I am the building just north of the Great Fire of Toronto mural.There is no parking on my street. Either park on College (you have to pay until 9 pm) or on Lippincott or Borden for free.

Marney -- you can arrive late if that's how it works out.

Start time: 7 pm.

Is it ok to come late Monday?

Barb M. - I have to work until 730pm Monday and I'm hoping to still attend book club... can you post your address so I can see if I can get to your place by 8pm?  Thanks.

Hey Barb M - What's the plan?

Can you let us know the plan for the book club meeting on Monday?

It gets better

for those of you struggling with the book like I was..... just wait until you get to the story of the Standoverman. It is AMAZING! I'm enjoying the book a lot more since.

No Pulitzer Prize for fiction this year

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bs-ed-pulitzer-failure-20120423,0,1709808.story

The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak

Dawn - it was an amazing meal you put together for tonight and a wonderful book club discussion. Even though I didn't like the book I LOVED tonight's discussion that went from parenting and discipline to speeding tickets to a man's POV of good sex... Never a quiet moment in this book club!

Next month's book is The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak. See you all in May.

Is anyone able to switch hosting date to June?

Just wondering if anyone is able to switch hosting months... I'm due to host in June but it's a bit of a crazy month and if I could switch to September or October that would be great, if not no worries.

Elva & Jacqueline I think you guys are September and October so if it's possible let me know if not we'll leave hosting as planned. Thanks ahead of time. Marney.

Upcoming Meeting April 2

Hi Everyone,

The meeting this Monday is at my house.  I live at 195 Shaver Avenue North which is just west of Martin Grove, a few houses south of Burnhamthorpe.  Please be sure to park in either our or our neighbours driveway as there is no street parking.  We have a shared driveway and our neighbour does not have a car - it is a long driveway so there should be enough room for all your cars.

As for menu - I know from last meeting that we have a vegetarian or two in the group.  Is there anyone else that has any dietary restrictions that I should be aware of?

Thanks and looking forward to Monday!

Dawn

Former Book Club Member Shines!

Faith gets a shout out as one of the best dressed of Toronto Fashion Week. This photo was on the Toronto Life website. Looking hot.

Carol - wow for a tiny apartment you sure had loads of food! Another wonderful bookclub... Barb you were missed and Dawn it was wonderful to have you join our group! I'm attempting to post all the new who's doing what... assuming I can figure out how!

Regardless next month book was selected by Laura & she's picked "The Slap" which is a Commonwealth Winner & Dawn is the host for the April 2 meeting.

Our plan is 3 x Commonwealth Prize winners / 1 Bio / 3 x Booker Prize / 1 Bio / 3 x Giller Prize

If anyone needs to switch up dates let me know! Marney.

March 5th

Hey Girlies,

Sorry for the late post but I couldn't figure out how to do it!! I am kinda a computer wizard and also the sharpest knife in the drawer.

How great was that book!? I actually have no idea as I have not started it yet. I will read it over the weekend but have a feeling I picked a goodie.

Okay so we are all meeting at my house, 92 Seaforth Avenue, on Monday for 7pm. It is basically at Queen and Lansdowne and there is parking all around -- the perk to living in a totally ghetto hood. Mine is the bottom buzzer but I will leave the door open so feel free to walk right in. Let's remember that I live in an apartment in an investment property and it is about the size of a postage stamp. So... I am hoping you all are comfortable eating and discussing while balancing a plate of food on your lap. Not kidding.

I will make something vegetarian for us to eat but are there restrictions beyond that? I can't remember.

Have a fantastic week, enjoy the weather, read the book and let me know if you are coming.

Call if you need to.

416-841-4117

Book Club Picks of the 2011-2012 year

I like to keep a list of the book club choices for each year. This past year we focused on 3 book prize lists: Canada Reads, Pulitzer and Orange Prize.

We read the following books:
Nikolski
The Best Laid Plans
Rockbound
A Visit from the Goon Squad
The Wonderous Life of Oscar Wao
The Bridge of San Luis Rey
We Need to Talk about Kevin
Small Island
The Tiger's Wife
Bel Canto

Looking forward to March

First - Thank you Natalie for hosting a great evening with a truly delicious salmon. We were all well fed. Some people loved the book, some people hated the book but there was a lot to talk about. We all tried a little Slivovitz, the national drink of Croatia and enjoyed the Prairie Girl Cupcakes that Natalie supplied.

There was a special guest appearance by baby Xavier who charmed all of the ladies and was very well behaved. Thanks for sharing him Elva.

Next month's book is Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. It is an Orange prize winner and a Faulkner prize winner. Carol will do double duty to host and faciliate at her place in Parkdale.

Everyone was charged with researching other literary prizes that we could use for our next year's reading choices. In March we will plan out the next year with our new member.

Good luck Laura -- we're sending the universe good wishes for you.

See you all in March.

February 6th Book Club

Hi Everyone:

Looking forward to hosting next week's book club meeting :)

I live at 166 Manning Avenue, which is about 10 houses south of Dundas, west of Bathurst, east of Trinity Bellwoods. I'm accross from the alley between Euclid and Manning. The street is one way south so you could come up Euclid and cut through the alley - or just come off Dundas.

There is parking on my street, on Dundas and on the surrounding streets. If you have any issues call me 416.725.5415

Please confirm whether you are coming and let me know if you have any dietary restrictions.

Natalie

New Year Fully Underway

Thank you Jackie for a lovely evening in your groovy new place with terrific view. It was wonderful to see everyone and the book sparked lively discussions. Most people did not like the book but had many ideas about the characters and the norms of the time in which it was set. As always, there were many opinions.

Our next book is The Tiger's Wife by Téa Obreht. Jackie will facilitate the next meeting and Natalie will host. Carol will select the March book from any of the book awards that we covered this year: Canada Reads; Pulitzer or Orange. Additionally she will host the March meeting which will include planning for our next year. Everyone agreed to invite Laura's friend but thought that she should start after our planning session, that is in April.

We were trying to send positive vibes out to our missing members: Get well Elva -- everyone is dying to meet Xavier and Good luck Laura -- we want you to be a principal almost as much as you do.

Hope I have captured it all --- let me know what I've missed.

Happy New Year!

Thanks for the January update Barb. I am looking forward the first book club meeting of 2012. My address is 2191 Yonge Street (North Tower), Suite 4201. There is public parking in the building ($2/hr; $5 max.), look for the blue P sign off of Yonge St. just south of Eglinton, on the east side. For access to the 42nd floor, give the concierge (ground floor) my name and suite number. Please let me know if you are planning to attend – thanks! January 9th @ 7pm jacalv@hotmail.com 647 931 9241

January Update

Happy New Year Everyone,

I assume that Jacqueline will post details of the next book club meeting which is Monday January 9th. We are reading Small Island and the discussion will be facilitated by Marney.

Note on a couple of logistics details: Now that Faith is not with the Book club, there is a requirement for a book selector for February (which means you give us the title in Feb and we discuss in March). Carol can you take this on since you have not had a chance to select? Also - this is slated to be our last Orange prize pick. Do we want to have Carol pick from the Orange prizes or should she have free range to pick whatever? I leave it to the group to discuss.

Also -- our meeting in March will include planning for the next year. This means drawing for names for hosting and selecting. It also means that we can discuss whether we want another theme year or book type. Again, I leave it to the group to provide collective wisdom.

See you soon.