Carolyn B. will be hosting Monday January 03 2011

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone after the holidays. I feel that we kicked off the holidays together and now we can commiserate all of the overindulgences. One thing I know for sure is that there will be no bloody meat on the menu. Get your gore on.

Time: 7pm

Address: 508 Brunswick Ave.

Out: a novel by Natsuro Kirino

Four women who work the night shift in a Tokyo factory that produces boxed lunches find their lives twisted beyond repair in this grimly compelling crime novel, which won Japan's top mystery award. Despite the female bonding, this dark, violent novel is more evocative of Gogol or Dostoyevsky than Thelma and Louise. When Yayoi, the youngest and prettiest of the women, strangles her philandering gambler husband with his own belt in an explosion of rage, she turns instinctively for help to her co-worker Masako, an older and wiser woman whose own family life has fallen apart in less dramatic fashion. To help her cut up and get rid of the dead body, Masako recruits Yoshie and Kuniko, two fellow factory workers caught up in other kinds of domestic traps.

December Book Club At 114 Grace Street

Hello everyone! I am looking forward to hosting next Monday December 6 at 7pm. My decorations are all up! Please remember not to park directly in front (they ticket vigilantly at 8pm). Your best space for parking is south of Mansfield (south of stop sign) near ecole Pierre Elliott Trudeau. We will be having our annual gift exchange. I believe that the gift value is $20.00. Barb D will lead the discussion, and Natalie will bring a book title for the New Year! Please RSVP as soon as you can.
Christine
416 532 4770

Hi Guys! I'm sorry I will have to miss the December meeting! Have fun and Merry Xmas to everyone!!

Dec and gift exchange

In November Barb D. hosted terrific tex-mex feast with several garnishes to top off the black bean stew followed by her favorite poppyseed cake. We were able to bring the bookclub into the modern age with the use of a Laptop to see Jeanette Walls interviewed about the book and have her admit she made stuff up.

Despite my amazing memory for all of the food served I have forgotten what we had decided for the gift exchange.

See you all in December. Don't forget your abacus.

Carolyn

November Book Club is Early

November book club will be at my house on Monday November 1st.

Monday November 1
7:00 pm
4 Croft Street (Croft St is 1.5 blks east of Bathurst, I'm just north of College)

There is no parking on Croft Street, the best bet is to park on College (where you pay) or on either side street - Borden or Lippincott.

Dinner is still a work in progress, but I don't think it will be steak, beans or hard biscuit. Please let me know if you will be coming.

Barb Margetts will facilitate Half Broke Horses.

I am the book selector for December. My choice is The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa. It is a story about the beauty of math and was recommended by a friend who read it in her Montreal book club.

Looking forward to seeing you all.

This Month's Book

Hi everyone,

Sorry for delay in posting my pick ... after oscillating between many options I've settled on Jeannette Walls new book "Half Broken Horses". I enjoyed "The Glass Castle" so much and so thought this novel, also true-life and based on the story of author's grandmother, would be a satisfying read. And it sits at less than 300 pages so for those still reading Franzen's novel, you have a chance to finish both!

As per Barb's post, the next book club meeting is Monday Nov 1, NOT Nov 8 as was listed on the side bar of the blog.

See you in a few weeks!

Barb M.

Wow - What a discussion!

We had a very very animated discussion of The Corrections on Madison last night. Thanks Christine for faciliating an interesting way of talking about the book and thanks to everyone for your detailed answers. For those who haven't finished the book - I think our collective advice is "It's totally worth it!"

Thank you Barb for a delightful meal and keeping us warm and topped up with wine.

Note that the next book club will be November 1 - not November 8 as was previously on the Blog.

Have a great month everyone.

Book Club Mon Oct 4th

Hey all,

I'm looking forward to hosting you all tomorrow eve at my place!

7 pm the usual time.

I will be serving dinner so kindly let let me know if you can't come.

My address is 195 Madison Ave - back door buzzer A

Reminder my street is one way north from Bernard (1 block S of Dupont, E of Spadina)

ph: 416-995-0344

Cheers

Barb

October's Book

Thank you Lori for a wonderful evening, and welcome back into the book club!
Next month's book is "The Corrections" by Jonathan Franzen (2001, 567pages).
Happy Reading!!!

You are invited to Faith's opening night party Friday Sept 10 5pm- 11pm

525 SHAW STREET SEPT. 13

I am looking forward to seeing you at my new place on Monday night. Hopefully most of you enjoyed "The Madding Crowd".

See you at 7pm! If you can RSVP as soon as possible, I will know how much food to plan and prepare!

Thanks!

Lori

Great Weekend

Laura,

Thank you for having us up to the cottage. It is always so relaxing and fun. You are an excellent host with nonstop booze flowing to an amazing dinner. I love spending my time with all the ladies of the club and love getting to know everyone even better. Barb D. thought provoking photo discussion gave me a new way to view myself and those around me or not. I find myself frequently thinking about the women in our club and how our stories are so unique and special and what a privilege it is to hear them.

Cottage Book Club August 14th

Ladies here is the plan for the third annual cottage book club up at Lake Simcoe.

For the drivers, the easiest route is to take the 404 North from Toronto to Green Lane(the final exit) Turn right on Green Lane. Turn left at the first lights onto Woodbine. Take Woodbine all the way to the lake. At J.C Trailers a yellow sign on the left, you will see you have to do a little jog to the left to remain on Woodbine to take it to the lake. Our cottage is the 3rd (#1041) on the left. We will follow the same format as the two previous years. Book club Ladies only on the Saturday. I will take care of dinner for the facilitated discussion of the 13th Tale on Saturday night.

I will likely go up Saturday before lunch so I am happy to make lunch for Saturday as well. As for Sunday all significant others and children are welcome to join us for a day of fun in the sun. We usually do a pot luck bbq for all. Please let me know when you plan on arriving so we can plan food by numbers accordingly. For the bike riders, Dave rides up all the time I can ask him for his route as Woodbine is only 2 lanes and a little dangerous. Let me know. Also I will be planning on getting a run in on Saturday and Sunday for those who want to join me. You don't need to bring anything to sleep. There are 5 beds and I will be bringing all the freshly laundered sheets to make them. Also I just got back yesterday and the lake is a beautiful temperature, so be sure to bring your swim suits. Dave will take us all out on the boat on Sunday. Sunzanne Duras will be joining us this year. Let me know which meal you are coming for and would like to contribute to. Carolyn B will not be doing her famous waffles this year as she is biking. I don't mind bringing my waffle iron just don't have high expectations.
The meals
Saturday lunch
Sunday breakfast
Sunday bbq

Looking forward to it, pray for good weather!

August Book Choice

Hi Everyone!



Finally I have come up with a decision on a book.



The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield.



"The Thirteenth Tale is the story of Vida Winter, a best-selling British writer nearing the end of her life, and Margaret Lea, the youngish apprentice bookseller and part-time biographer, whom Ms. Winter has chosen to write her life story. The problem is that Ms. Winter has spent her life telling stories -- including 19 different ones about her background and childhood. Will she be able to tell the truth this time?"

Happy reading and see you all on the 23rd yeah!

Classy, Trendy and Boisterous

Three words to describe our book club evening this week. Thank you Carolyn for organizing the last minute change and for hosting us on the patio at Mildred Pierce. It was great fun with lots of lively discussion.

Thanks too to Natalie for selecting a great book and trying to faciliate a sometimes unfacilitatable discussion. It was the sign of a well read and liked book.

Bravo!

Slight change in plans for book selector for August -- since Lori won't be available to facilitate, we have moved her book - Far from the Madding Crowd to September. Elva will select the next book when she returns from her camping trip.

Still on -- July 23rd fieldtrip to CityLine. We need to be there at 9:30.

VENUE CHANGE - July 5

sorry for the last minute notice, but I need to change the venue for the meeting tomorrow!

The new location is the new Cinquecento Trattoria at 109 Atlantic Ave in Liberty Village - it is right beside the West Elm store, and has a black awning. There is lots of parking in the Metro parking lot - the other spots have 20 minute limit and they have been ticketing a lot...

Antipasto and pizzas are on me!

7:00.

It is supposed to be a beautiful today so the patio there will be perfect.

July 5

Happy Canada Day everyone! Looking forward to seeing everyone on Monday night.

My address is 21 Pirandello St, #1232. Closest main intersection is King and Strachan. Go south on Strachan, then west on East Liberty. The first stop sign you will see is at Pirandello St. Turn right and I'm #1232 - there is a black patio umbrella and purple flowers beside the door...

It was Magical

Thanks to Carolyn and Marc for hosting a beautiful, magical evening in their yard. There was so much thought and effort put into the menu, the table settings, the polished silverware: we all felt like it was our special day.

And everyone looked amazing! Congrats to all who donned their wedding gowns and wedding guest attire and posed for photos. For those who facebook - I posted them. I will figure out how to email them to you all shortly.

Carolyn - can you post the links to the recipes? I'm still basking in the reflected glory of the evening. mmmmmmmmmmm.

Book Selection for July

Let the Great World Spin, by Colum McCann

"This novel, with its web of disparate but connected characters—including a God-battered Irish monk, a swashbuckling prostitute, an artist with a guilty secret, a mother grieving her war dead—is an act of pure bravado, dizzying proof that to keep your balance you need to know how to fall."

2009 National Book Award for fiction

Enjoy :)
Natalie

Books of 2009-2010

People of the Book
The Outliers
Too Much Happiness
The Cave
Audition
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Olive Kitteridge
Still Alice
The Vagina Monologues
In Defense of Food
Amanda's Wedding

June 07

Hello Ladies,

I have decided to make this a magical event in my backyard. However, I don't have a table for outdoor dining. I need to know who will be attending so I can work on getting the right size table and right number of chairs. I will be accommodating for the extra large dresses that we will be wearing. It has been a real pleasure thinking of ways to surprise all of you!

Location: 508 Brunswick Ave follow the rose petals to the backyard
Time: 7pm
Date: June 07 2010
Dress: Bride, bridesmaid or party dress

BOOK SELECTION CHANGE FOR AUGUST'S MEETING!!

I am changing the book selection for the discussion meeting in August at my new home.

The new selection is "Far From The Maddening Crowd" by Thomas Hardy. It's a classic!

Looking forward to our meeting in August!

Lori

THE BOOK SELECTION FOR AUGUST'S MEETING AT MY NEW HOME!!

Hello Ladies,

I am really looking forward to seeing you in August. Alex and I are moving into our new home at 525 Shaw (just north of College and Shaw) on June 1st, so hopefully by our August meeting we will be settled in.

My book selection is "Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes.

If too many of you have already read this, I have a few other options. Let me know what the majority wants.

See you on Monday August 9th at 7 pm. Looking forward to it!

lori

June is the month of weddings....

The book for June is Amanda's Wedding by Jenny Colgan
http://www.amazon.com/Amandas-Wedding-Jenny-Colgan/dp/0446678112

It's a light funny read. It will be perfect for the June wedding themed bookclub that I will be hosting. What this means is it anyone who was a bride will be wearing their wedding dress and those who have not been brides will attend wearing a bridesmaid dress. Yes, it's a June wedding right in my backyard.

The formal invite will follow.

Carolyn B.

May's Book?

For those of us unable to attend book club on Tuesday, can someone let us know what book we are reading this month? I would like to get started asap as I have a super busy month ahead.

Thanks,
Melissa

May Book Club Meeting: TUESDAY May 4

Hello everyone,

I am back in Toronto and looking forward to hosting the group for a discussion on "In Defence of Food" this coming Tuesday May 4 (note date change as requested by Elva).

I am planning on hosting at my apartment but would love to know who all is coming... if there is the off chance that EVERYONE can attend I may move the location to a restaurant that can more comfortably fit the group since, as some of you recall, my place is a bit wee!

So kindly RSVP by Sunday to this blog or barbmarg@gmail.com so I have an idea of numbers. Thanks!

Expect a selection of real FOOD to nosh on. :)

My address:

195 Madison Ave, Ste A -- back door entrance.

(1 blck E of Spadina, between Bernard and Dupont. Note street is one way N from Bernard.)

One parking spot is avail in back of house (middle spot), otherwise on street.

my phone # 416-995-0344.

Cheers,

Barb M.

Cityline Fashion Friday

Put this date and time in your calenders, Friday July 23 at 9:30am. I've booked 9 seats for the bookclub. Please let me know ahead of time if you will not be able to make it. The best part of seeing fashion Friday is leaving with a ton of free goodies.

May 3rd Book Cub

Hi again.

I hope everyone is enjoying this month's book. I was going to ask everyone for a favour and especially Barb M. who is hosting this month's book club. My last cooking class falls on Monday, May 3rd and was wondering if it would be O.K. to switch it to the Tuesday, May 4th??? I know it's a big favour to ask Barb. I was really hoping my class would be over by that Monday but Easter Monday moved us up 1 week as well.

Just thought I'd put it out there .. if it doesn't work out I totally understand and if that's the case I do apologize in advance for not being able to facilitate.

All the best everyone, can't wait to catch up.

Elva.

April's book: IN DEFENSE OF FOOD by Michael Pollan

Hi Everyone,

I can't believe it's my book choice already. It came up so fast. My choice for this month is IN DEFENSE OF FOOD - An Eater's Manifesto by Michael Pollan, who also authored The Omnivor's Dilema. It's availabe in paperback - I hope you all enjoy it. Looking forward to returning to bookclub in May.

Life of Barb: the Update

Hello girls,

You maybe wondering where the heck I've been, since it certainly hasn't been at book club this year. My sincere apologies for not being in touch with you !! January I was travelling, and Feb 19 I came to Vancouver for the Olympics and well, I'm still here. I got a short term job directing on a fashion/beauty show called "Anna & Kristina's Beauty Call" for W Network (ever seen the "Shopping Bags" on W? Same hosts.) They sent me to LA last week and now are asking me to stay on longer (until April 16) and have even offered me 2 months more work May/June directing their cooking show. I have some big decisions to make very quickly! I'm not moving here yet but forces are at work it seems. There's a chance I may be in TO for the May book club so I will keep you posted!

Hope everyone is well and I look forward to seeing you all again soon.

Hugs,

Barb M.

APRIL 12 BOOK CLUB

I'm looking forward to hosting my first book club meeting. Please confirm your attendance and let me know if you are vegetarian. email me directly: natsmullins@yahoo.com

Place: 166 Manning Ave. Just south of Dundas near Trinity Bellwoods park. The street is one way south. Just get up to Dundas and look for the 7-11. You can park on Manning or on any neighbouring street until midnight.

See you then!

Natalie

My apologies!

Hello there! I hope you are all well and enjoying the winter! I just wanted to update all of you on my whereabouts.

My Dental Hygiene Society/Study Club meetings are coming to an end in June. I have to admit, I have enjoyed catching up on some "light reading" (ie Twilight.... oh yeah!). I have also been luxuriating in a more than leisurely reading pace.

I am considering extending my hiatus so that I can continue my reading at this slower pace and also to open up the floor to another potential member. If there are no objections, I would still love to host a book club meeting some time so that I could treat you all to a nice meal and stay in touch.

If someone could let me know what month I can host, I would love to have a visit with you lovely ladies sometime.

Happy Reading!

Lori

Book Selection: The Vagina Monologues

Thank you again Melissa for a lovely intimate evening at Negroni.
Even though it was just three of us, we managed to get a good
discussion going. In case you haven't already received the next
book- it is "The Vagina Monologues"by Eve Ensler. Thanks Carolyn for delivering
copies to Nathalie, Faith, and Barb. Thanks Melissa for delivering
Carolyn's and Laura's copies. When you are done reading the book (it is
very quick read), you can return it to any Toronto Public Library. If you want to bring the book to the next book club (April 12th), I will renew the books myself. If anyone wants to read a monologue for the book club please be my guest.
Look forward to seeing everyone on April 12!
Christine

March Book Club

Since my home is not appropriate for hosting, this months book club will be held at Negroni, a new resto at 492 College Street that is a pannini and apps spot by the same owners as Sidecar. We tried there once before but at the time they closed on Mondays. Barb D assured me they are open on Mondays now. Appi's and drinks are on me. Hope to see all of you. I can't imagine a reservation will be necessary on a Monday, but please advise me if you disagree and I will make one once everyone has confirmed if they are coming.

:)
Melissa

Non Sequitur Alert: Olive Kitteridge and Jane Austen

Thank you Christine for hosting a beautiful fondue party and discussion of Olive Kitteridge. As always, you put your home on beautiful display and make all of us feel welcome. It was a lively evening of book and personal discussions.

For those who love Jane Austen, as I do, I present a clip from the most recent BBC production of Emma.

This is the scene where Knightly asks Emma to dance (after saying earlier that he is not a good dancer and doesn't like to dance) and you can see that their relationship is changing.

The full version of this new totally delightful Emma can be viewed in 9 minute segments from Youtube. http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=47923BB9FFC1BC9B&search_query=austen+emma+2009.
The last episode will be played this sunday on Masterpiece Classics at 9:00 pm.

Thanks Christine and everyone for a great evening. Next month's book is Still Alice by Lisa Genova.

Monday February 1, 2010 Book Club Meeting!!

Hello everyone - I look forward to hosting at my home
this Monday at 7pm at 114 Grace Street (south of College).
416 532 4770.

Please RSVP. Please do not park on Grace Street in front of my
home. They ticket at 8pm. You are safe to park on Grace St. south of the
stop sign (south of Mansfield, and the church).

Can't wait to discuss Olive Kitteridge!!

Christine

January the 4th on 4 Croft Street...

What an amazing evening you prepared for us Barb. You are truly an exceptional host starting from sipping on Cava and tasty cheeses to a wonderful assortment of entrees and delcious desserts. The setting for the evening, the house, the decor, the table, was truly inspiring. Not to mention the company and conversations, including book talk. I just wanted to thank you again on Jacqueline's and my behalf. Happy new year everybody.

Olive Kitteridge is February's Book Choice

The book is by Elizabeth Stout. It is Laura's choice and comes highly recommended by several other book clubs.

See you all in February.

January 4 on Croft Street

Hope everyone has had a happy and restful holiday period with enough time to read the book. I finished this week and will be interested to hear how everyone liked it. The theme for the dinner will be Swedish although I'm not entirely sure what that means. There will definitely be Akvavit. Let me know if you're coming.

Monday January 4
7pm
4 Croft Street (1.5 blocks E of Bathurst, just N of College)
416-546-6823


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