WOW! What a meeting we had today. A profoundly provocative book, and a riveting discussion. I feel so honored and privileged to be part of a group of women who have such warm and caring hearts and invoke invigorating conversation. It is so exciting.All the book club members attended this month's pick, "Sarah's Key" by Tatiana de Rosnay. We learned a little about the author by watching a short interview where she shares her inspiration for the book. This was her ninth book, but the first to be written in English. She was moved to write about this horrific time in France's history, where French police under the Nazi rule were ordered to round up Jewish men, women, and children and place them in the Vel d"Hiv (a cycling arena at one time.) It was called "Operation Spring Breeze" The author writes this fictional story around true events of a little girl who locks her younger brother in a cupboard believing she will be back in a couple of hours. It is a story of two families from the past and present and how they were connected and affected by the tragic event of July 16th, 1942. There were many other themes in the book that were discussed with respectful passion.
I appreciate all you lovely ladies and value the time we spend together, getting to know eachother while discussing books. I hope everyone enjoyed and were moved by "Sarah's Key" Thank You so much for your sharing!!!!
Next months book is "The Piano Teacher" by Janice Y.K. Lee
----Mary Velez
Mary your hosting was superb! How did you manage to bring all that food? "French women don't get fat", but only if they're not at a Neary book club!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed so much discussing the issues of the book. It affected me a lot, because I lost many of my grandmother's relatives in the holocaust. I learned a lot too, and have tried to teach others about the Vel D'hiv. Your special touches of bringing a key, and showing us the pictures of the Vel D'hiv made the meeting so much more interesting. BRAVO!
Thank you Mary, for hosting a most enjoyable meeting! Thank you Robin, for sharing such an important and emotional part of your life. The dialogue was so moving and heartfelt. Sarah’s Key generated discussion on delicate topics that are not easy to discuss, yet we all felt comfortable and safe to share our views and feelings.
ReplyDeleteAnd the food? Délicieuse! Merci!
Dear Friends,
ReplyDeleteOnce again we had a great time together. The book was provocative and the conversations it generated were rich. It is so wonderful that we can learn from the books and each other! I think it is wonderful that there is a new group of friends in school who have been inspired to start another book club! They will certainly enjoy it as much as we are.
Mary, thanks for the book selection, guiding questions and wonderful array of food! I had three oranges!!! The gift basket was wonderful! I can't wait to go to Barns & Noble!
I am looking forward to next month!
Dear Mary,
ReplyDeleteMerci Beaucoup!!!
It was a great meeting with all the food, company and insightful sharing. I think it is wonderful that we can feel free to share about our personal experiences and learn from each other. I was so glad to have been made aware of something new that happened during this period in history however, I was at the same time saddened that the French had played such a terrible part in this event.
Although I don't know much about our next book I am looking forward to hosting. More details will follow.
I love our book club! It's like an "evolved" level of friendship. Not only have the books and discussions been inspirational, but we now feel so much more comfortable with each other--enough to share ideas we're passionate about.
ReplyDeleteDespite this cold and dreary winter, it warms my heart when I think of our special club meetings. Thanks so much, Mary, for hosting and setting such a wonderful tone to our meeting.