Best.Bookclub.Ever

Perfect Attendance + Excellent Book + Terrific Facilitation + Wonderful Hosting = Best.Bookclub.Ever

Wow. That was one wild and crazy book club night. It had a lot of everything: discussion; food; wine; drinks; presents; and a Christmas tree. Thanks Marney for setting a beautiful table and delivering a fabulous meal. I especially liked the Yule Log! Also thanks to Lester for executing the last minute details and then going to a movie for some peace and quiet.

Thank you Jacqueline for reigning in the conversation and helping us have a real discussion on the content of the book. While it is depressing to learn how terrible things are in North Korea, it was an important book to have read.

The gift exchange was as spirited as usual. Maybe not as much stealing as in previous years, but maybe we were worn out from the book discussion.

We say good bye to Dawn who is withdrawing from the club. We'll miss her but wish her and her boys well.

Next book is The 100 Year Old Man Climbed out of the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson. I see that it is on sale for $6.79 today at Chapters on line.

We will meet at Miriana's on January 6th when we will plan for our next year of book club events. If you have any ideas for a theme or focus for next year, next month is the time to present it.

Have a safe and happy Christmas everyone.

Come celebrate the season...

...and be thankful we live in Canada - that's how I feel after reading Camp 14!

I was going to try to serve Korean food but since I don't eat red meat and all the food (or lack of it) in the book made me lose my enthusiasm I'm now picking up that great lasagna  from  Bologna Pastifico.  I need to figure out which to buy - veal vs veggie so please let me know if you coming and which type you prefer.

My address is 218 Rusholme Road, south of Bloor, west of Dovercourt.  It's a one way south and my house is in the second block down. Home phone 416-535-5785 or cell 416-720-0161.  Everyone will finally get to see the amazing kitchen Carol designed back in the spring, I'll see if we can see my sister's as well!

"Bobby" changed my opinion of the book!

Yes Bobby, as we now call Robert Rotenberg, came to Nats house and read opening paragraphs, shared tales of how long it took to write his first book (7yrs for those who weren't there) and seems to have a "thing" for women with hazel eyes!  It made for an entirely different evening - very fun and I now like his book way more!  Carolyn thanks for arranging the meet & greet - Theresa was also a lovely person.  If you want your book autographed you can drop it off at his office - plus we're suppose to sign up for his email!  Barb - can you share that info?

For those who missed tonight's book club Natalie did an awesome job hosting, she says she still has mush brain from court but she served delicious fish, fantastic cheesecake and these cute little roll up appetizers!  Day job lawyer - night job chef!  Thanks so much, it was a lovely evening.

Next month book club is at Rusholme Road and we've decided to do secret Santa again - gift price range is $25.  The book for discussion is "Escape from Camp 14" by Blaine Harden, Carolyn says it's a great read and available as a talking book from the library.

See everyone December 2th - happy November!

Meet the Author on Monday at Manning - November 4th Book Club

Hey Ladies - Book club at my place Monday 166 Manning Avenue One way south from Dundas, a few blocks west of Bathurst, don't go as far as the park... There is street parking as well as a lot just north of Dundas. I suggest parking on Dundas or Manning. I'm still in a bit of a fog from my three week trial, but I did purchase the book and plan on finishing it. The fact that it involves lawyers, courtrooms, and judges is not ideal... Natalie
NOTICE: CAROLYN INFORMS ME THAT THE AUTHOR IS ON A SCHEDULE SO PLEASE ARRIVE PROMPTLY BEFORE OR AT 7PM.  THE DISCUSSION WILL START RIGHT AWAY.

Everyone liked the book - wow!

All of us in attendance liked the book which is truly amazing, great choice Dawn!  Laura you were missed as Carol had Galen stories to share, something about a half eaten cake pop... Barb we did discuss your question about train travel but after enjoying 2+ glasses of bubbly I can't remember the significance of our responses... Natalie we heard you were in court today but what we really wanted to hear about was your birthday weekend in Vegas... overall you know it's a good book club when there is so much to catch up on and although we want to talk about real life we all actually wanted to talk about the book!

Christine it was a lovely evening, you looked beautiful in your pearls and truly are a wonderful hostess.   Thank you for hosting.

Caroline's book choice for next month is a novel by Robert Rotenberg called "Strangle Hold".  She's lined up the author to be present at book club which will be hosted by Natalie.  Apparently it was either we read this crime novel where we got to meet the author or she picked an erotica book for us to read but we'd have no special guest author... hmmm tough choice, here's hoping she picked wisely!  Until next month - Happy Thanksgiving!

BOOK CLUB MONDAY OCTOBER 7

I can't believe it's the month of October already!!!
Please come to my house - 114 Grace Street this Monday at 7pm for Book Club.

Do not park in front of my house - you will surely get a ticket.  Park south of Mansfield Ave (south of St. Francis of Assisi Church).

Do we want to dress as Flappers??!!! - probably not -  it's not Halloween...darn, I haven't read the book...page 45...I am catching up.   I do think we would all look so beautiful with bow lips, cloche hats, and shiny stockings... I am getting inspired...

Barb you would make an awesome Louise Brooks!







I am doing pearls...

My phone #: 416 532 4770, cel: 416 898 9686

Tres Bien Barbara!  It was a lovely book club... lots of French Wine, cheese, pate & delicious quiche.... vibrant conversations... everyone liked the book which is always amazing and turns out 50% of us would choose to live in Paris in the time of the book!  Natalie, Elva & Jacqueline you were missed!

Next month's book is selected by Dawn "The Chaperone" by Laura Moriarty.  See you at Christine's in October!

September Book Club

I am hosting the next book club at the loft on Croft.

Monday September 9,  7:00 pm
4 Croft St (1.5 blks east of Bathurst, just north of College)
There is no parking on Croft. There is paid parking on College or you may get lucky and be able to park on either Lippincott or Borden which run parallel to Croft.
Phone: 416-546-6823

I've missed you all! Let me know if you will attend.

Book Club is Cutting Edge

I love being a member of this book club. The company is great, the conversation is spirited and we always read topical books. Here's the next chapter in the Henrietta Lacks Story

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/08/science/after-decades-of-research-henrietta-lacks-family-is-asked-for-consent.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

And Sheryl Sandberg is selling her stock. Looks like she'll make a few bucks.

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/08/09/sheryl-sandberg-sells-91-million-of-facebook-stock/

'til next month

Next Book!

Sadly, I will not be able to join Cottage Book Club as I will be on holiday in the East Coast.  I do hope to see some photos posted!!  I know you guys will have a great time.  I think it is my turn to pick a book and I have decided on A Paris Wife by Paula McLain. We once talked about what book we would read again and I mentioned Earnest Hemingway and specifically A Moveable Feast - the story of Hemingway's time in Paris in the 1920's.  The Paris Wife is a fictional account of that time from Hemingway's wife's perspective.  It should be interesting to see how the fictional voice is weaved with the factual story.  And, who doesn't love Paris in the 20's?  It seems like it will be a nice light end of summer book.  Happy reading and I look forward to seeing you all in September.

Cottage Book Club

Ladies:
It's my pleasure to host you all up at the cottage for our annual book club weekend get away at Lake Simcoe. This weekend is back by popular demand, despite some rumblings that some of you may not be able to make it. So I thought I would send the post out early to make sure we have the attendance to make blowing up the floating island worthwhile.
The details:
Saturday August 10th arrive anytime. I go up in the morning, who ever arrives during the day we have a light lunch and lots of snacks. Then I do everything for dinner while you all float on the lake. We talk about the book and party into the night, perhaps Carolyn will skinny dip, as she's prone to doing, etc.
Sunday August 11th we get up, I go for a run depending on Saturday night's consumption! Then we make breakfast(Carolyn's famous waffles) then all spouses and children are invited up from 11:00am or so onward to enjoy the lake, the boat, we bbq and stay as long as you like.

So Ladies, please let me know if you are joining us! I will send a separate email with the address and directions so as to not post to the world wide web where 10hot ladies will be skinny dipping! Feel free to ride up or drive car pooling works too!

Looking forward to it,
Laura

Ford Nation recovery one week after

Unfortunately I can't figure out how to post photos on the blog but if Icould post them you'd see water but not flood water! You'd see the water from Dawn's amazing pool and plenty of happy faces!

Dawn, thanks for hosting an amazing meal and discussion... As always many different oponions around the table!

Next  month's book had been posted already and it too should bring out some spirited discussions! Laura is hosting from her cottage which will also involve water and an island with drink holders!

Barb -- I uploaded the photos. 

Flood update from Ford Nation

Flood update!  By now you have all seen the news, Ford nation aka Etobicoke got hit the hardest! It's a good thing we cancelled as the roads were unpassable . Dave had to leave his new audi at the side of the road (since recovered) because he could not drive through the 2km lake into our neighbourhood. I hope you all turned back safely, we had no power from 5:45pm onward until 9:00am this morning, therefore I could not send an email blast informing people not to come, then I went to calling and texting but even that was not reliable as I got Christine's machine both home and cell, Carolyn's machine and when we talked we got cut off 3 times due to blackberry and wireless being down. And jacqueline's machine....So ladies in this digital world I hope you all were safe. We had no way of communicating without power or wireless networks.  So The cottage will just have to be epic. Does everyone want to discuss the Interestings in August at the cottage and move everything forward a month so Natalie's will be next month's read? Also we can tack Dawn hosting on to the end of our cycle? Please weigh in on which option you prefer:#1 discuss two books in August, #2 Discuss the Interestings in August and move everything ahead by a month.  I finished the book because I chose it but others may not have.

Also please give home number, cell and email in your comment so we can reach out during disasters.    Also feel free to share your story, we have a flooded basement that we continue to clean out tonight. We have power going on and off still.  Hope everyone is safe, the silver lining to our basement flood is a forced purge of all our crap. Loss= Dave's vinyl record collection from the 60s and 70s. They are drying throughout our house! Ford better knock on my door to see if we are okay!

H 416-245-4921
C 416-518-8167
Laura.delves@peelsb.com

Ciao-Laura

Post Flooding Debrief

Wow. That was a wild storm. I hope book club members are drying out and that no one sustained any damage.

I suggest that the next book club meeting cover both the July and August books. Is this ok with everyone?

Note that Natalie and I have switched hosting months: I will host in September and Natalie will host in November. And on the logistics front, let's make sure that we exchange numbers and emails so that we can improve communication channels when we need it.

July's venue

Hi all,

HI all, I have the pleasure of having you all over for July's book club! I get home from work around 5:00 pm so come anytime after 7:00. 
I live at: 195 Shaver Avenue North Etobicoke M9B 4N9 
My cell number is 416-817-7384 My home number is 416-626-8713 
Please bring your bathing suits and towels...the pool is at a perfect temperature and I don't think it is supposed to rain! Looking forward to seeing you all, 
Dawn

July Book - Try to have an open mind....

I received a request to post the book early so here it is.... July's book shall be ... drum roll....
"Messages from the Masters: Tapping into the Power of Love" by Brian Weiss. 

Brief description/background: In Many Lives, Many Masters, Brian Weiss opened an unexpected door into the astonishing realm of past-life regression. In Only Love Is Real he showed us how we all possess soulmates from our pasts who wait to reunite with us today. In Through Time Into Healing he demonstrated how to utilize safe and rapid techniques to heal clinical symptoms. Now, drawing on the wisdom of the Masters, the spirit guides who shape our destinies, bestselling author Brian Weiss gives us his most outstanding achievement to date. He reveals the essential life force in the universe and the ultimate healing energy. Its name is love. And he shows us how to harness its awesome power.


Marie recounts a memory from the womb, where, at the family kitchen table, her mother makes a shockingly accurate prediction about herself and her unborn child. Diane, a nurse, finds, beneath the right shoulder of a male patient, a crescent birthmark identical to the one of a lost child she had recalled in a past-life regression. She and the man are now married.


Jim was unwillingly drafted into the Vietnam War. Later he recalls a past life as a nineteenth-century soldier scalped by Indians. His reluctance to fight and kill was a reminder of his own past role as a victim of war. Carole is awakened by the phone. The voice on the other end, asking about the family business and the welfare of his loved ones, belongs to her father, who had died earlier that week.

These stories express a profound yet simple truth. And perhaps no one better than Brian Weiss–a medical graduate of Yale, the former head of psychiatry at a major medical center, and today the leading expert on reincarnation–can share that truth with the world. It is the message imparted by the Masters, the super-evolved, nonphysical souls who have always been with us and are with us now.

In this book you will hear people giving intimate and startling testimony to the miraculous potential of love. You will explore what happens after we die, strategies for fighting anxiety and healing relationships, the role of God and self-determination. You will explore exercises and meditations to harness the power of love and utterly transform your life.

More about the book at: http://www.brianweiss.com/about-the-books/messages-from-the-masters/

This should be fun...

The Interestings...A summer read if it ever stops raining and warms up.

I am posting on behalf of a weary globe traveller, Laura. Her choice this month is The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer.

Bundle Up

It will be an outdoor BBQ tonight so please wear something that you will be warm in.

Let's Lean in

I am really looking forward to the discussion of the book.  I loved it and can't wait to find out who hated it and why.

Date: Monday June 03 2013
Time: 7pm
Address: 508 Brunswick Ave., I am just south of Dupont. Ave. between Spadina and Bathurst St.
Phone #: 416 899 3271

Please let me know who will be attending or not.  Is Christine the only vegetarian?

For an Alternate View

I'm looking forward to the discussion about Lean In. It has some interesting points.

If you want a different perspective on women in the workforce - try Anne Marie Slaughter's piece from the Atlantic Magazine from last year.

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2012/07/why-women-still-cant-have-it-all/309020/

Tyranny of Enthusiasm

I'm sooo glad that I was able to attend. This was one of the best club events ever.

First thanks to Elva for hosting the loud and bawdy book club. Your lasagna and eggplant parmesan were delicious. And you set us up so nicely to be able to sit outside and enjoy the weather. Hopefully we didn't scare your neighbors too much with our graphic discussions. I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard for so long. It was truly joyful. Thanks to Carolyn, Dawn and Carol for sharing your stories -- we have a colorful group of members.

The book choice for this month is Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg. I chose it because it is being talked about by a lot of book reviewers and social commentators. I am curious how we will see it. In picking this book, I realized that I was not the book selector this month -- I elbowed Laura out of the way when it should have been her choice. Sorry Laura, I obviously read the list wrong. I have changed the blog so that Laura and I switch months.

Carolyn is hosting book club June 3rd.

May 6th Book Club Evening - Rush Home Road

I am looking forward to hosting everyone this upcoming book club and I am really enjoying the book - great choice Marney!

My address is:

353 Greer Road
(416) 789-2966

I am north of Lawrence Ave. and south of Wilson Ave.
and  East of Avenue Road or West of Yonge Street. 

We'll see you at 7p.m. - I will most likely make something vegetarian.

Hoping you can all make it.

Thank you fellow bookclubbers!


  

Who knew poetry could be so poetic!

Well if you missed tonight's book club at Carol's you missed some great discussions about how poems matter and truly stay with you years later... who knew we had so many english lit grads in our group!  Christine - this was a great idea and super fun to listen and hear how in fact we all love poems even if we never knew it!

Carol - your meal was fantastic... you are a great cook and wonderful hostess!

Next month's book choice is "Rush Home Road" by Lori Lansens.  I picked it for next month's book choice since tonight was suppose to be hosted at Rusholme Road but wasn't and also because I thought it would be interesting to read something I read years ago to see if I still liked it.  How ironic that many of you tonight read poems from your University days and upon reading them tried to see if you still liked them and understood them!  I can't remember why I liked this book so let's see if there is a good reason why 10 years ago I thought it was the best book ever, enjoy!

Box sets worth watching!

For those of you who weren't in attendance tonight or who didn't have a pen handy here's a list of the "box sets" or movies everyone recommends you watch!

• Homeland Season 1 & 2
• Downton Abbey Season 1-3
• The Wire Season 1-5
• House of Cards
• Mad Men Season 1-5
• Intouchables (subtitle film)

Lots of others chatted about but this is all I remember! Enjoy!

Monday Night

Hi Girlies,

So book club is at my house this week.  I am at 1028 Queen East between Pape and Carlaw on the north side.  There is still no number out front but the construction site with the white door is mine.  The door will be open so come right in.

Reminder -- do not fear the crazies out front they are quite harmless though filthy, drunk and without teeth.

I am fully anticipating you ladies to speak in verse and rhyming couplets so let's not disappoint.

Let me know if you are coming and remind me of food restrictions.

Thanking you.

April 's book club moved to Carol's place

Since I'm hoping to be starting kitchen renos in April Carol kindly offered to switch hosting months. The poetry slam will now happen at Carol's on April 8th (Easter Monday is why we meet late). I'm now hosting December which works out as we spent Christmas at Carol's last year!

Book For April

Thank you so much Jacqueline for a delicious Paella dinner!!! Wow quite the undertaking.   I think pictures were taken and will soon be loaded up for those that missed it.   Tonight's group was small - only seven of us but we managed to talk about how uninterested we were in Maxwell Sim as a character, how disappointing the ending was, and how people can live their lives and not know that they are miserable...  We welcomed our newest member Miriana who regaled us with scary ghost stories of her previous home.  We are so glad she moved out, and if your wondering if there are any ghosts in your neighborhood check out: www.torontoghosts.org !
I have the honour of selecting next months book - and I am totally trying a new genre - something that I know nothing about - Poetry.  "A Thousand Mornings" 2012 by Mary Oliver (an American, Pulitzer Prize winning poet). (8 copies in t he library, 77 pages- a very slim volume)   I am wondering if Poetry has a place in your life?  Please select a poem from the anthology that you like, or made you think, and come prepared to read it for next book club.  Also, pick a favorite poem (any author), something you wrote in school, some lover sent you, a favorite poem you read as a child or  something that you read to your children, a song lyric or any piece of the written word that you consider poetic and come prepared to read to the group.  Our first College Street Book Club Poetry Slam!! (Oh by the way if you don't like poetry, don't want to pick or read - you don't have to...)

March Meeting

I look forward to seeing everyone on Monday, March 4th at 7p.m.

2191 Yonge Street
Suite 4201
North Tower

Jacqueline

March Book Choice

Carol has chosen The Terrible Privacy of Maxwell Sim by Jonathon Coe.

Plans for 2013

First -- many thanks to Christine who showed off her beautiful reno'ed space, provided a wonderful meal AND created the agenda and month draw. You made our planning very easy. Thanks Christine. Much Appreciated.

The Sentimentalists was selected by many as the worst book of 2012, which tells you something. While some people liked the writing and the poetry, many people found it vague and difficult to follow. It seemed that Barb (me) was the only person who liked the book.

Plans proceeded for next year.

1. We will welcome a new member: Miriana - nominated by Carolyn
2. There will be no theme for book selecting. Pick whatever you want.

Jacqueline is hosting next month and Carol is selecting the book. Carol will be posting shortly.

See the sidebar for hosting and picking duties. After I got home, I wondered if I got the month to select the book correct. Please check and let me know.

Monday February 4, 2013

Hi Everyone!  Can't wait to host this Monday at 7pm at my home.
114 Grace Street, 416 532 4770.  Please make sure you park south of the stop
sign - south of Mansfield, near the school.  If you park in front of my house you will get a ticket
at 8:02pm!!! I will have an agenda for our end of year meeting - including our names/months to draw out of a hat.  Just to recap, Barb D to lead discussion of "The Sentimentalists", recap the 2012 year - best book/prize, draw our hosting and book selection duties, discuss our theme of selection for the year, discuss new business - new members, special book clubs ie Laura's cottage etc... Jacqueline please bring your book suggestions, and anyone else that has a list.   Thanks!
Christine

Books of 2012

Here is the full list of the books that we read this last year. The selections were from: the Giller Prize (any year), books shortlisted for the 2012 Pulitzer Prize that was not awarded, other Pulilitzers, the Commonwealth Prize and the random choice - a biography.

The Sentimentalists" by Johanna Skibsrud

419 by Will Ferguson

Half Blood Blues By Esi Edugyan

Confessions of a Prairie Bitch: How I survived Nellie Oleson's and Learned to Love Being Hated by Alison Arngrim

"Hotel du Lac" by Anita Brodener

Train Dreams by Denis Johnson

Swamplandia! by Karen Russell

The Pale King by David Foster Wallace

Galore by Michael Crummy

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas

Oops!

Link for suggestion 4) should be http://www.how-tobeawoman.com/

Book Suggestions

1) Even Silence has an End by Ingrid Betancourt

Memoir of her six year captivity in the Columbian jungle

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/sep/26/ingrid-betancourt-even-silence-end

2) Fear and Trembling by Amelie Nothomb

Winner of many literary prizes in France, Nothomb (Loving Sabotage, Stranger Next Door) presents an utterly charming, humorous tale of East meets West in her newest novel about a young Belgian woman who works for a year in Japan, a country that she has revered and admired since childhood. At the Yumimoto Corporation, a huge export/import business, the chain of command is made very clear to her on a daily basis, and all initiative is snuffed out. After several crucial errors, our heroine's career ends up in the toilet, literally. Nothomb is a terrific writer whose writing style is simple, honest, and elegant. (from amazon.ca)

http://www.francetoday.com/articles/2011/02/18/amelie_nothomb.html

3) The Time In Between by Maria Duenas

 “Maria DueÑas is a true storyteller. She weaves a spell, conjuring the heat and the glamour, the hardship and the thrill of Morocco and Spain in the late 1930s. The world of Casablanca comes to life as war breaks and Sira Quiroga, a beautiful and betrayed seamstress, is forced to discover her own strength. At a time when everyone must do what they can to survive, some will go beyond. Resistance will be formed and history will be written. Read this book and prepare to be transported.” –Kate Morton, New York Times bestselling author of The Distant Hours

MarÍa DueÑas holds a Ph.D. in English Philology and is a professor at the University of Murcia. She has also taught at American universities, is the author of several academic articles, and has participated in various educational, cultural, and editorial projects. She is writing her second novel.

4) Moranthology by Caitlin Moran

Just for fun!

http://www.francetoday.com/articles/2011/02/18/amelie_nothomb.html

Our January 2013 Book is....

The book Barb selected for January is "The Sentimentalists" by Johanna Skibsrud.  Next month's dinner is at Christine's and at that meeting we'll be selecting the "type/types" of books we want to read for the coming year.  If you have ideas/suggestions on what might be interesting to read feel free to post them here before the meeting or bring them in Feburary, all ideas welcome as we make up the rules to this club as we go... there are no wrong books and I can guarantee everyone will not like the same book regardless of what we pick which is what makes this so interesting!

Natalie - you did a wonderful job hosting tonight.  Your house is so warm & welcoming.  There were so many different conversations from Stanley the holiday Elf to Caroline's tree selection that I'm certain I missed something but I know I had a terrific time... oh and the book discussion was also great!  It was a lovely meal and I was hoping you'd have cupcakes and you didn't disappoint!

Caroline - 419 was a great book and certainly brought forth many interesting discussions, thanks for leading the discussion, always difficult to keep us all on topic!  Glad to see Carol & I remain consistent, if I like the book she doesn't and vice versa!  At least we are predictable.

Christine - so great you managed to make it this evening with so much going on in your life.  I hope things take a turn for the better with your sister, please remember to keep us in the loop as we all care.  We'll send good thougths your way.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

January 7th is at my house.  166 Manning Ave.  It's south of Dundas a few streets west of Bathurst.  There is parking on Dundas, Manning and the streets to the west and east.  It may take a bit of searching...

Please let me know if we will be seeing you and if you have any special dietary requests :)

Natalie