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| The Bookworms at Beny's Trattoria |
My Dear Book Buddies,
It is our club's seventh year! Can you believe it?
What a privilege it is to get together with such an amazing group of women every month! It was so nice seeing many of you there, but missed those who couldn't attend this time. The best thing is that there is always next month....
At this first meeting we met at Beny's Trattoria in Garnerville. We discussed The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. The setting is World War II, Nazi occupied France. The story follows two sisters, Vianne and Isabelle, and how they each respond in times of great challenge. Their parallel stories are different but are just as suspenseful, complicated, and emotional. Although The Nightingale is considered fiction, it is based on a heart wrenching truth. There's everything you can expect from such a story -- fear, prison camps, beatings, near starvation, sacrifice... but there is also hope, resilience, and survival. We talked about the things that people endure in order to survive in these situations and the unthinkable things they'll do to protect the ones they love.
As usual, our discussion was passionate and heartfelt. Being the teachers that we are, we made ample connections to self, other texts, and the world (this sounds like one of the report card indicators, ha!) This book reminded us of how we need to be grateful for the freedoms and luxury that so many of us take for granted. It was also a confimration that despite all odds, the human spirit prevails.
Thank you my dear friends for the love, passion, and wisdom that you bring to each of the meetings. Looking forward to being a dedicated member of The Neary Book Club for many more years!
Love you all!
Maria P.
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| A nightingale bird |
Hello Maria P. and Lovely Ladies!
ReplyDeleteMaria, thanks for trying out Beny's Trattoria -- it was lovely to be served on table cloths, in a well lit room -- and NO TVs-- what a welcome change. I very much appreciated THE CHOCOLATE, the wines, and your thoughtfulness in printing a booklet for each one of us. Bravo!
To the rest of you, thank you for making time in the most busy time of the year -- I always seem to forget how difficult meeting in September is -- but well worth it. I'm so very proud of our book club, beginning year SEVEN. You bookworms always have a way of enriching one day a month for me -- with your friendship and caring. Here's to many more years to come!
XXOO
Robin
Hello Ladies,
ReplyDeleteCheers to our seventh year!!
Maria, thank you for hosting! Loved Beni's, everybody's food choice looked so delicious. Thanks for the Godiva Chocolates. Delectable treat! I enjoyed the book, I do favor historical fiction. I was mostly moved by the story of these two sisters and the love and deep bond they shared. I enjoyed how we kept returning to the question of how our true selves are revealed and surface in instance of love or war.
I look forward to our next meeting!
Be Blessed!
Dear Lovely Ladies,
ReplyDeleteHow I miss you all! When I finished the book this morning, I was exploding with the need to discuss it! What a great story and so well written! I went onto this blog and Robin's video was so telling of your probable discussions. I felt relieved. Marias had told me about their trip to Paris. Now that we have more of French history, it would be even more amazing to visit.
Thank you for your choice Maria, and thank you for the video Robin. The wine and chocolates must have added a warm touch.