Neary Bookworms met on November 4th at Veggie Heaven to discuss this month's novel. The quiet ambiance of this location added a calmness to our exuberant discussion. We noted that the author was able to draw us into the story with her perceptive dialogues and skillful writing. Although the plot takes place in modern day India, we easily related to and empathized with the two main characters Sera and Bhima. These interesting characters led us to an insightful discussion about their relationship and our respective relationships with our help. We realized that many women's emotions are universal. We also discussed the strong value this society places on education. Some of us tasted Kosher wine for the first time and enjoyed it as well. Another memorable book and wonderful ladies to share it with. ----Diana
I love historical fiction—you learn about different eras, cultures and places, while you enjoy a good story. This is so true for The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom. Reading this book, brings to life the relationships between slave families—big house workers and field workers, between plantation owners and their wives and children, as well as how whites and slaves related to each other. The story is narrated by both Lavinia, an Irish 7 year-old orphan girl, and by Belle, daughter of the plantation owner and a slave. In 1790, Lavinia becomes an indentured servant, and she is placed to work in the kitchen house with Belle.
So many things occur as the story unfolds, that it is hard to put the book down. Mama Mae seems to hold everyone together, always reminding the characters of their place and providing her wisdom throughout the story.
Our book club met at The Blu Fig Restaurant in Stony Point and it proved to be a great setting for our discussion. The food was very good and we were given a semi-private space for our meeting.
If you haven’t read the story, mostly everyone in our club liked it, and recommends it.
It’s Kathleen Grissom’s first novel, but you can tell she researched it well and brought the characters to life. I was sorry to see the story end. 'Looking forward to a sequel.
Happy reading!! --Lourdes
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Hello Bookworms. Thank you Robin for introducing us to a diiferent view of the world of food. I am thankful that I have had this opportunity. I'm going to look into the eggs and try to get to the Farmer's Markets more often. The Art Cafe is also another new place to visit. It was great food, different and an opportunity to try something new. I hope to go back soon.
We met today at the Art Cafe on South Broadway in Nyack to discuss Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. Nine of us - Irene, Nicole, Millie, Maria Pages, Maria Rego, Mary, Lourdes,Miggy, and I - managed to squeeze some time to talk about the book during this busy month of September. We discussed growing plants and vegetables in our own gardens. Some of us have changed our shopping and eating habits, at least a little. Some of us have become more aware of the weather, and how it affects farmers and crops in our area. Mary reminded us about the miracle of the field of fireflies in the book. Maria R. made us laugh at her "t.v. dinner NYC stories" and her introduction to "real food" in Spain, with her husband and his family.
We went over some ways we could try to make a difference for ourselves and our families: 1. TRY to eat at least one meal per week from locally and organically produced meats and produce. This "would reduce our country's oil consumption by more than 1.1 million barrels of oil EVERY WEEK". 2. Find farmers' markets and local producers in your area - go to www.ams.usda.gov, www.localharvest.org, or www.csacenter.org 3. When shopping at a grocery store or food co-op, or dining at a restaurant, ask about food origins, and request that locally produced items be stocked. 4. Share your opinion with local policymakers at town and city hall meetings, school board meetings, and your own FAMILY EVENTS - encourage them to use local ingredients.
Remember, if your grandparents wouldn't recognize it, or it won't go bad in your refrigerator, don't eat it! Check out the website, www.cornucopia.org for information on best organic milk, eggs, and soy products to buy. Just because it packaged with "organic" or "natural", doesn't mean it's fit to be eaten, as Miggy pointed out.
Bon Appetit my friends! Choose wisely --- you can influence for better or for worse --- your family, friends, and loved ones -- as well as the animals and environment around us.
The Neary Library was the setting of the last book club meeting of the school year; and lush Hawai'i was the setting of Moloka'i. This is an amazing story of brave Rachel Kalama who was forcibly removed from her loving family at the age of seven and sent to live in exile in a leper colony on the island of Moloka'i. We follow Rachel's story from early childhood (1891) until her death (1970). We learn about suffering, disappointment, injustice, and death; most importantly, we learn about LOVE in many forms.
We thoroughly enjoyed Moloka'i. The author, Alan Brennert, wove historic elements into this multi-layered story. I hope my fellow bookclub members were equally moved by Rachel's compelling story.
It was so wonderful to share with you this latest book that we read. I was so enthralled by each of the characters and was glad that we were able to comment on each one of them. I did remember later that I wanted to share the ending. It was powerful to me that finally, Eliza was able to sleep with the windows open. How many of us can feel safe enough today to do that?
I hope many of you can, because the worst fear is fear itself. It will stifle you and not allow you to move forward. Perhaps, that is what kept Elizabeth alive. Was she afraid of Walter or did she believe that he would not harm her?
I hope you will continue to give some thought to being a pen-pal to a prisoner. Not everyone in prison is a Walter, some are Martha Stewarts. HA,HA!!!!!!!
Thank you again for being such a great group of women who can speak candidly and enjoy eating and laughing and looking forward to the next time.
See you soon,
Maria R.
Dear Fellow Bookworms,
Thank you for making it to our last meeting to discuss I’d Know You Anywhere. It was my pleasure to host it at my house along with Maria Rego. We prepared a little spread with love and excitement as you deserve, as we all put so much effort to make every meeting an unforgettable experience.
Like many of the other books we’ve discussed in the past, this book taps on sensitive and controversial topics, in this case abduction, rape and capital punishment. I’ve always wondered how people who’ve survived such horrifying experiences are able to move on and lead normal lives, especially those who become parents and undoubtedly want to protect their children from the dangers of this world. Do you ever, open windows or not, truly get rid of those fears? As always, we had the chance to reflect, express our thoughts and views, and of course, have our much needed laugh, courtesy of Lourdes. (Our book club wouldn’t be the same without you Lourdes!) Gracias amigas for a wonderful time together.
What a pleasure it was to host this month's book club. I truly cherish these times! I enjoyed this book because it was a story of a young boy with Aspergers Syndrome told from his perspective. It spoke volumes to me in how complicated we humans can be and how simple life would be if we adopted at times Christopher's view. It also revealed the heartache and hardship that parents go thru in raising a child with this affliction. I appreciated Christopher's humor and simplicity, yet having a superior intelligence. He was confident that he would get an A grade in the A levels Math test :-) I appreciated our discussion on the importance of understanding and accepting of all humanity. I love listening to your reflective insights. Ladies, I must add that this book club has added joy in my life. I thank you so much for your support during this difficult time in my professional life. I can't think of a better distraction. Your friendship is uplifting. God Bless you!!!! Con Mucho Carino Mary For next month, May 9th our book is I'd Know You Anywhere by Laura Lippman Looking forward to it!! Happy reading...
Well, we've decided to try to keep a list of possible upcoming books for discussion, so if you choose one of these on your own, BEWARE! You might end up having to read it twice.
Moloka'i The Reader The Space Between Us Honolulu Hotel on the Corner of Bitter & Sweet
The Memory Keeper's Daughter...Who was the memory keeper? We all keep memories, but sometimes they turn into secrets -- secrets we keep because we don't want to hurt others, or is it out of shame? When is it justified?
When we club members and friends meet we share our opinions and views about relationships and social issues. We learn things about each other that in my case, make me respect and appreciate each of you more. I can't wait for our next discussion...
We met in the Neary Library because it was Thursday - and so many book club members have Adult Ed on Thursday nights. It was our last meeting with Diana. Sigh....
The meeting was small, and more than a bit subdued. We all missed Miggy so much, and prayed that her father will improve rapidly. How she coordinated our food for the meeting and a questions list while in Florida, is quite miraculous.
We discussed Shiva and Marion's relationship as twin brothers. Did Shiva have Aspergers? Perhaps. Gennet, Stone, Hema and Ghosh also were discussed. Ghosh was a lovable character. We puzzled over the true meaning of Cutting For Stone. We shared some moments about the horrors of medical care in this country. We talked about Verghese as a physician - and our bad experiences with doctors that have their hands on the doorknobs to run to see their next patients, and don't give us the attention and time we truly need. Immigration was another theme. And we agreed that "Geography is our destiny".
Hoping all can attend the next book club meeting on March 14, when Carmen Cruz will host The Memory Keeper's Daughter.
