Bookclub Getaway

So here is what I'm thinking for the bookclub getaway-

We are headed up to Eden.  It is near Huntsville where Tara's cabin is.  There is a very small store up there if you need to buy anything up there.

I will go up on the evening of Thursday the 10th.  Anyone who would like to come up with me is welcome to. I will be happy to do breakfast for anyone who wants to come.  It sounds like a group will be coming up in the morning on the 11th.  So maybe just bring something for lunch/snacks and a potluck item for dinner on Friday?  Stuff to share on Saturday or we could go to Carlos and Harleys for lunch because it's yummy and they have a gluten free menu for anyone who is doing that.

I'm hoping we could go to dinner in Salt Lake on our way home.  That way anyone who can't join us for the getaway can meet us for dinner. 

There are plenty of beds for everyone.  It would be great if people could bring sheets like we did at Tara's so that we don't have to do a million loads of laundry before leaving.

There is a theater (and a riduclous number of tvs if we can't agree) if we want to do a fun movie. Plenty of space for hanging out, reading, games etc.  We are very close to Snowbasin and Wolf Creek for anyone who wants to ski.  I'm always up for skiing. 

I'm totally open to any ideas so feel free to blurt out whatever you are thinking.

Book Club tonight!

Hi everyone! Tonight is book club at my house, 14084 Stone Canyon, at 7 PM. We will discussing Kate Morton's The Forgotten Garden. Don't forget your white elephant gift!

Rach

The Forgotten Garden

Here is a link to the author's website and her pages in regards to the story and also her inspirations for the story. I found it really fun and interesting:
http://www.katemorton.com/the-forgotten-garden/

Rach

And our next book is...

I agree, Lish. Nothing makes me happier than spending time with you wonderful ladies! It was such a fun night!!!

As for our next book club, this will be our Book Club/Christmas Party/White Elephant night, so you'll want to get this on your busy calendar ASAP! The date will be Dec. 5th, and it will be at my house at 7 PM. Remember your gift, and again, the cheaper or creepier or weirder the better. I happened to procure my W.E. gift a few weeks ago, and it anxiously awaits a new family to belong to...(don't worry Kerstin, I have not come into another 2 foot ceramic clown statue for you to pass around your family!)

And last...oh yes!...we do read books. This month's book is The Forgotten Garden, by Kate Morton. Fantastic read. I just finished it the night after we met at Alicia's, and loved it. I felt like the characters were very well developed and the story was very detailed and believable. I also felt like the author really channeled the energy and pacing of older authors, like the Brontes, Jane Austen, Dickens or George Eliot. She even incorporates Frances Hodgson Burnett into the story. She attends one of the garden parties on the Blackhurst estate. Its brilliant! I hope you all enjoy the read...fun, mystery, history, a little tragedy and romance. What's not to like! Disclaimer: Unfortunately, there are no sparkly- or yoga-practicing vampires in this story, but there are a few ghosts!

Last, any interest in a trip to St. George or the Walker cabin before Amanda has baby Oaks?:)
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone!

Rach

Thank You

Thank you so much for coming over last night to my home. I was having such a difficult day and feeling so sad and yucky until you wonderful ladies began to arrive. I love you all so very, very much. Thank you for making me laugh and laugh and laugh. It was just what I needed :). Love, Lish

Happy Halloween

Just a friendly little reminder that instead of talking about the juicy details of our exciting lives tonight, we'll all get to go trick or treating or hand out candy instead. Next Wednesday however....I will be expecting all of you at my home, 3781 S. Terrace Heights Rd at 7:00 p.m. so we can discuss our latest endeavors :). Oh, and we can discuss the book, A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness as well :).

A bit of thoughtful reading for you ladies...

Hello ladies,

I thought a few of you might enjoy this post from Segullah. (I hope I paste it on here correctly!)http://segullah.org/daily-special/100-proof-tequila-mockingbird-2/#more-13751

Rachel

A Discovery of Witches for October (well, Nov. 7th)

Hi ladies,

For October, we will be reading A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness. We will meet at my house, 3781 S. Terrace Heights Rd. on Nov. 7th (since the last Wednesday in October is Halloween). I promise lots of sugar and maybe even some soup to balance the treats. Here's the summary on the books website:

A Discovery of Witches

When historian Diana Bishop opens a bewitched alchemical manuscript in Oxford’s Bodleian Library it represents an unwelcome intrusion of magic into her carefully ordinary life. Though descended from a long line of witches, she is determined to remain untouched by her family’s legacy. She banishes the manuscript to the stacks, but Diana finds it impossible to hold the world of magic at bay any longer.
For witches are not the only otherworldly creatures living alongside humans. There are also creative, destructive daemons and long-lived vampires who become interested in the witch’s discovery. They believe that the manuscript contains important clues about the past and the future, and want to know how Diana Bishop has been able to get her hands on the elusive volume.
Chief among the creatures who gather around Diana is vampire Matthew Clairmont, a geneticist with a passion for Darwin. Together, Diana and Matthew embark on a journey to understand the manuscript’s secrets. But the relationship that develops between the ages-old vampire and the spellbound witch threatens to unravel the fragile peace that has long existed between creatures and humans—and will certainly transform Diana’s world as well.

“Together we lifted our feet and stepped into the unknown.”

Look for Shadow of Night on 10 July 2012.

“…a compelling and sweeping tale…” –Booklist (Starred Review)

Tomorrow

Hi Ladies-
See you tomorrow at my house (Olcott's 14047 Pine Mesa Dr.) 7:00pm to talk about Beautiful Boy and chat.  Come even if you didn't read the book!  I got new carpet and flooring just for you.  The house isn't put back together yet but I promise to bring some of my furniture in so you won't be sitting on the floor.

Book club change

So the plan for book club this week is to start at 8:00.  The book is Breathing Lessons by Anne Tyler, and my address is 896 Rocky Mouth Ln.  I don't have an email list so would someone help me out and forward this information via email? Thanks!

Book club conflict

I just found out that Summit's Back to School night is next Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:00.  This conficts with Book Club so I'm wondering if we could either start later that evening or postpone for a week.  Preference anyone?  As a reminder, the book is Breathing Lessons by Anne Tyler.

September Book

Just thought I might as well post the book for next month since I have already picked. I am almost done catching up on the books I missed to repent of my sin of missing book club lately-some excellent reads.  My pick is definitely not as light-hearted as many of our latest reads but I think it will provide a lot of fodder for interesting conversation.  I attended another book club when they reviewed it and everyone seemed glad they had read it.

Beautiful Boy By David Sheff
It is the true account of one father's attempt to rescue his son from a serious meth addiction. I think there is something in this book that everyone can relate to or will at some point.  We are all affected by this insane siege of evil that seems to be destroying families everywhere.  There are a lot of interesting topics addressed in this book like family relationships, parenting, pop culture, the current drug culture and how families are affected by the prevalence of drugs. I admire Sheff's candid writing and found his journey riveting and disturbing. There are a few unfortunate language uses in the book but I felt they reflected what the family was going through.

From Publishers Weekly

Expanding on his New York Times Magazine article, Sheff chronicles his son's downward spiral into addiction and the impact on him and his family. A bright, capable teenager, Nic began trying mind- and mood-altering substances when he was 17. In months, use became abuse, then abuse became addiction. By the time Sheff knew of his son's condition, Nic was strung out on meth, the highly potent stimulant. While his son struggles to get clean, his second wife and two younger children are pulled helplessly into the drama. Sheff, as the parent of an addict, cycles through denial and acceptance and resistance. The author was already a journalist of considerable standing when this painful story began to unfold, and his impulse for detail serves him personally as well as professionally: there are hard, solid facts about meth and the kinds of havoc it wreaks on individuals, families and communities both urban and rural. His journey is long and harrowing, but Sheff does not spare himself or anyone else from keen professional scrutiny any more than he was himself spared the pains—and joys—of watching a loved one struggling with addiction and recovery. Real recovery creates—and can itself be—its own reward; this is an honest, hopeful book, coming at a propitious moment in the meth epidemic.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

 *I have also read his son's account of the same time period, "Tweak" and though I am not sorry I read it, I cannot recommend anyone read it as it is pretty disturbing and has a lot of foul language.  You will just have to use your own judgement as to whether you want to hear the story from the other side.

August Book

Hope you're all enjoying summer break.

I am going to take a last minute book hosting for the month of August.  The book I've chosen is Breathing Lessons by Anne Tyler....one of my favorite contemporary authors.  She's an expert at the quirky character and won the Pulitzer Prize for this book in 1988.  Happy reading, we'll see you on the 29th!

Cami

August Book

Hi All,

I guess summer has been crazy for everyone...I am going to fill in last minute for the month of August.  The book I have chosen is Breathing Lessons  by Anne Tyler.  For anyone unfamiliar with Tyler, she is the master of the quirky character--the lovable loser.  She is one of my favorite authors, balancing humor and pathos through character study.  She won the Pulitzer Prize for Breathing Lessons.  It's a fairly quick read and I own a copy of the book if anyone would like to borrow it.

Happy Reading!

Cami

Switch hosting from aug to sept???

I cannot seem to access the list of who is hosting in September. I have August and won't be able to host this month. Is the mystery sept. hostess open to trading? Andrea

Thanks to Lisa Moon for hostessing our June Book Club for Gift from the Sea :) We had a small turnout, but a great discussion. And boy, did you all miss out on some incredible food! Lisa made penne pasta with a cream cheese (and a bunch of other cheeses) sauce with shrimp, a lovely coleslaw, and a black bean, corn salsa...not to mention the lovely whole grain buns. Then came Miss Rita who brought her famous handmade Greek baklava (she is the sole provider for Baklava for the Salt Lake City Greek Festival). Nirvana!

I was happy to eat all the absentees' helpings!

So...see you all on August 1st at my house 7 p.m. Humbler food, but excellent conversation :)
Arna

Hi all, me again :)

I am reading a great book called Thirteen Moons by Charles Frazier (wrote Cold Mountain)...it's about American Indians, white men, the frontier west in late 1800s...it's pretty cool. However, that is NOT July's book selection-tee hee. I heard from a friend whom I trust that she is reading a new series of "mystery" novels called Maisie Dobbs. It has great reviews and looks like a lot of fun for a summer read...so, my pick is Book one of Maisie Dobbs :) Here's a little preview...

Maisie is a "psychologist and investigator" in post World War I London. A nurse during the war, Maisie returned to London to work with her mentor, accomplished detective Dr. Maurice Blanche. When Blanche retires, Maisie opens her own detective agency.

Also, I need to change the date to the following Wednesday, 8/1. My husband planned a family vacation-SHOCK-and we will be in Dallas, Texas, for the Glenn Beck Restoring Love big darn deal. It's not Paris, but at least I get out of the house for a few days :)
Love,
Arna

Lisa Moon asked me to remind everyone about book club tomorrow night at 7 p.m. Bring a small item that has special meaning in your life if you wish...a la the seashells in the book :)
Arna

October Read on sale June 10th

Alicia West asked me to let you all know that her pick for October "A Discovery of Witches" by Deborah Harkness will be going on sale through Kindle for $2.99 on June 10th only (the normal price is $9.99).   So, get a head start on this fall's reading for a great price! :)

As a side note: 
Alicia would also like everyone to know that this is a fairly popular book and the library will have copies, so you don't have to buy it...

Hi Cosmo Ladies,
Lisa Moon asked me to post her June book selection (drumroll....) Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh.
A tipped hat to Lisa C for the yummy eats and the cozy home for our get-together. I enjoyed every minute of it as always!
Arna

Hello all,
I am hosting book club on Wednesday, May 30th at 7:00 p.m. (1196 Wild Tree Circle).
The book we are discussing is called "Cutting for Stone". Such a fabulous book!
It will be a lively discussion amongst very sexy, gregarious, intelligent women so please come.
I will have chocolate!
 
Love ya
Lisa

Book for May

The book for May is entitled "Cutting for Stone"  by Abraham Verghese.
It is an interesting read - I think you'll like it.
We will meet on Wednesday, May 30th at 7:30 at my house.
Happy reading :)
Lisa

Book Club Tomorrow Night!

Whew! April went by fast. It's already time for book club. Tomorrow night, my house 7:00. Come and eat and chat (reading is secondary...)

May book choice

I have 3 possibilities for May and want your opinion.

Book one: To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic I am thinking we could read a book called The Lifeboat by Charlotte Rogan. Her story follows a lifeboat with 39 survivors from a fictional ocean liner that sinks. It is set in 1914 and told in diary form. It is told from the perspective of a 22 year old American woman who is now on trial for murder due to her actions on the lifeboat. I'm sure it is full of queasy moral dilemnas! - sounds fun :)
I have personally not read this book.

Book two: Girl meets God by Lauren Winner
This is a non fiction book about a woman's journey to faith. Lauren is an orthodox Jew who converts to Christianity. I found this book interesting because of Lauren's Jewish experience and her perspective that she brings to Christianity. The book is full of intellectual and spiritual struggle and gives buckets of information on Orthodox Judaism.

Book three: Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
I found this book to be an excellent read - very engrossing. It is set in a mission hospital in Addis Ababa and invokes emotions about birth, love, death, war and loyalty.
This book is probably my first pick.

Cinco de Mayo

I listened to an interview on NPR last week with the author of the newly published Taco USA:  How Mexican Food Conquered America, and frankly, it made me hungry.  So...........what I am proposing is that we gather at my house with our husbands to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.  I have a fairly established repertoire that I prepare for this holiday, and I invite you to contribute dishes if you would like to.  But please don't stay away if cooking something does not work out for you that day. I will have one enchilada dish that is both vegan and gluten free as well as plenty that are...not:). 

Cinco de Mayo Dinner Party-with Husbands!
May 5, 2012
We will try to start eating at 6 pm- ish-  but, come early, stay late 
Bring food, or not
RSVP here on the blog to get the peer pressure going, or email or call me

PS- Rachel already offered to bring the new Doritos taco shell tacos from Taco Bell- sorry every one else, real Mexican food is your only option......although, as the author of the above-mentioned book pointed out, authentic is relative and Mexican cuisine has many, many aspects and regional variations and adaptations both in Mexico and the US. FYI- I am not cooking crickets, but feel free.

Hope to see you on May 5!

Emily

April's Book

Sorry ladies! I failed to send out a post to let everybody know what the book for April is. We had a very brief discussion about this at book club and decided that it was time for a little light reading. Clara and Emily both suggested that we read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies so let's go with it! If you just can't stomached this then dig into your pile on your bedside table. Just come prepared to give us your review. Summer is coming and we are all looking for a few good reads.

My House, Wednesday, 7:00

Here's a friendly reminder to come to Book Club at my house (14073 Pine Mesa Dr) on Wednesday the 28th at 7:00!  The book is "Lighten Up!" by Chieko Okazaki.

Changed My Mind

So, I have felt really terrible about picking "Post Captain" ever since I put that post up yesterday.  I hope nobody has bought the book, because I am changing my pick to "Lighten Up" by Okazaki.  Don't hate me, and if you happened to buy the book or something, I'll pay you for it.

Book for March

I have thought way too much about what book to choose for this month.  I guess asking you all to spend time reading something makes me uncomfortable.  Who knew?  Anyway, after a lot of second-guessing and over-analyzing and quick re-reading, I decided that we will be reading "Post Captain" by Patrick O'Brian.  It is actually the second in the Aubrey/Maturin series, but the first is not my favorite and I think you will be just fine if you read a good summary of "Master and Commander" before starting on "Post Captain."  I find O'Brian to be really interesting as a writer, because he is essentially a modern writer, but it has been said that his style really fall somewhere between Jane Austen and Charles Dickens, who both wrote about their own time periods.  Enjoy!

The Elegance of the Hedgehog

Hi Ladies! 
Just a reminder that we will be discussing The Elegance of the Hedgehog at my house this Wed at 7pm.  I am looking forward to discussing it with you all!  Here are a few links if you want to do a little extra reading on the book and author:

http://vulpeslibris.wordpress.com/2009/02/20/the-elegance-of-the-hedgehog-by-muriel-barbery/

 http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/07/books/review/James-t.html 

http://www.bookbrowse.com/author_interviews/full/index.cfm?author_number=1656

Here is one interview quote by the author that I found really interesting:

"I followed a long, boring course of studies in philosophy. I expected it to help me understand better that which surrounds me: but it didn't work out that way. Literature has taught me more. I was interested in exploring the bearing philosophy could really have on one's life, and how. I wanted to illuminate this process. That's where the desire to anchor philosophy to a story, a work of fiction, was born: to give it more meaning, make it more physically real, and render it, perhaps, even entertaining."-Muriel Barbery

See you Wednesday!

Emily

Olive Kitteredge?

Has anyone read this yet? Have you done it for bookclub? Any thoughts or insights would be surely welcome. Also, as long as we're trading recipes....Rachel, I would really love, love, love your chili recipe. Seriously, I think I had a dream about it. Between you and Daphne, I'm ready to start just eating at your houses for dinner instead of mine.

Anyone Interested?

I imagine that a few of you maybe interested in this exhibit. I would love to get a group and go all together...

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=19178994&title=major-islamic-art-exhibit-being-installed-at-byu&s_cid=queue-16

Rachel

My calves ache from the hike and my belly is bloated from the carbs, but I wouldn't want it any other way! What a fabulous retreat...you all make such a positive difference in my life in so many eclectic ways, I can't even begin to list them one by one...but I "count my many blessing" every day, and you are among them. I have asked Tara to post her granola recipe...Daphne emailed that delectable Marsala...Alicia, any chance we culinary plebians could take a peek at that amazing H&H cake? I may get up the courage to try it for Valentine's Day!
Best,
Arna

Movie Suggestion

Hi Ladies,

I've been furiously listening to "The Fourth Part of the World," and though slow-moving in some places, I find much of it fascinating, particularly in the way it is pulling together different bits and pieces of world history into a more cohesive and comprehensive whole that makes me feel like I'm viewing a helpful timeline. Today in listening to chapter 4 I found it amazing how the early Greeks figured out the circumference of the earth, and how to break it up into latitude and longitude. This section brought to mind one of the most awesome films I've ever seen. It is entitled "Longitude," and was produced by the BBC in 1990.

The story is about how the British navy in the era of its greatest supremacy suffered for lack of having a reliable way to keep tome on the seas and therefore be able to predict longitude. British ships were often lost at sea because of this problem, and as a result the British government proposed a contest for anyone who could surmount this problem. The film is about one man's race to solve this problem. It is all based on accurate vents, and to this day, (I saw it several years ago), is one of the most fascinating films I have ever seen. In fact, after Sterling I saw it, we bought a copy of it for the Fraga family because of all the remarkable information it provides on the development of timepieces.

Anyway, I just bought a copy of the film online, and will bring it up this weekend. If anyone is interested in watching it, I promise you won't regret it--particularly if you have appreciated the book we've been reading.

Amanda

p.s. -- I also just finished "The Elegance of the Hedgehog" this week and loved it! The writing was so freshly original, (and so romantic I parts), that I could not put it down. Thanks, Emily, for the great recommendation. Are you up for watching the film again?

Please Let Me Know EXACTLY When You Are Coming

Ok, yes I am severely type A but I really do need to know exactly when you are coming to the retreat not just the day. Could you please flood me with all the details you currently have even if they are not set in stone. I am struggling to get this thing coordinated.

lighten up

I am trying to find a book for March and have come across "Lighten Up!" by Chieko Okazaki.  How many of you have read it before?  Would it be totally redundant?  Because something is telling me this would be a great pick.

Getting Final Plans for the Retreat

Ok gals, it's time to commit! I have several people wondering who is coming and when (including myself). Somebody mentioned that having the retreat so close to home may be a problem because it's too easy to try and work around your "million-mom-things." Don't give in to the pressure!

Here is what I know so far:

Coming Thursday Afternoon - Tara and Emily

Coming some time on Thursday - Arna, Daphne, Alicia (Arna can't leave until after 6:00)

Coming sometime on Friday - Cami Brown, Rachel, Andrea, Lisa, Clara

People I have not heard from yet - Lisa Moon, Cami Talbot, Kjersten, Amanda

People I know aren't coming - Natalie Boman (assumption because she is having surgery next Monday on her leg)

Hopefully I haven't forgotten anybody since I am doing this off the top of my brain.

The question has been posed whether or not it would work to stay over till Sunday. I'll tell you why I wanted to avoid that. Getting the cabin put back together after having a group there takes a little bit of effort. Bathrooms have to be cleaned up, floors have to be vacuumed, laundry has to be done. Frankly, that's not something I really want to do on Sunday. I also like to spend Sunday with my family (I know that's a little sappy :))

So I've been trying to think about how to get the most bang for our buck in the few days we have. I know we all like to go out to eat and I was thinking we could save that for Saturday evening after we have left the cabin. There are some great restaurants in Ogden that I have been told about. There is also this little restaurant on Capital Hill called Em's that I have been dying to try. It's just a thought.

Loved to hear from you all!

T

February Book Choice

For February, I want to read and discuss The Elegance of the Hedgehog, by Muriel Barbery-a professor of philosophy.  I thought I would announce it early in case anyone would like to get going on it- in all her spare time:)  It is translated from French-awkwardly in spots- and is very philosophical.  It is a great story-quite different from anything we have read.  I don't want to give a lot of explanation, and I hope that those who saw the movie with me last fall will not share important plot points in advance;)  The last Wed is Feb 29th.  Happy reading, I am looking forward to our trip!
Emily

Update on Our Cabin Retreat

Ok, so I thought I should give you a little information about the cabin, for all you holdouts who are still on the undecided list.

The cabin is about 15 minutes north of Huntsville in a town called Liberty. It is directly off a main road so there is no off-roading necessary. It was built initially as a residence so it has the full amenities. There are five sets of bunk beds and four queen beds as well as two hide-a-beds so we should have plenty of space. The cabin is equipped with Blu-ray, wireless internet and a full surround sound speaker system so bring any entertainment options you want. I'd love to have people bring their iPods so we can share new music ideas.

I love breakfast food so I will plan on providing those. I'm leaving the rest of the meals up to the rest of you. There are a few restaurants in the area, none of which I have experienced but I'd love to try them.

As for activities, there is a large fireplace upstairs with three couches, so bring your books. Downstairs there is a television, ping pong table and air hockey. In the garage there is darts and a few sets of cross country skis although there is no guarantee the shoes will fit. We could even go sledding (if it would ever snow). There is a beginners ski resort five minutes down the road and Snowbasin Ski Resort is about 20 minutes away. We keep a fly fishing rod around because the river is just a few steps below the cabin and there is a tiny pond you can sit by and listen to the water although my crazy husband and brother-in-law jumped in on New Years Eve (any takers?)

It sound like we have people who are leaving on Thursday Afternoon (Emily and I), Thursday Evening (Arna) and Friday (possibly Kjersten) so let me know what you are thinking and I'll try and hook everybody up.