Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks

Seven of us met at OD's Tavern on Main Street in Nyack. We had a lovely back room with Cameron, our waiter, who closed the curtains to give us privacy! The food was yummy "farm to table", and there were A LOT of choices for those of us who are vegetarian or vegan. My favorite was the cauliflower steaks as the appetizer.

We spoke about family, religion, faith, and the strong women in the novel. We also spoke about how tragedy brings out both the best, and the worst, in people. Many of us found the beginning until halfway, rather slow. Some of us found the excruciating details of the plague was too much to bear. Most of us were happy with the (unrealistic but happy) ending. I love the way Geraldine Brooks writes, and I very much liked Anna, so I was happy with the novel. But it was her first, and I've seen her growth as an author, through some of the later novels that I read. There is always a lot to learn with historical fiction, and I appreciate her tremendous research to write the novel.

If you weren't there we missed you. Hope to see everyone next month when Maria Pages leads us in Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth.

Happy Reading -- XXOO-
Robin L.

A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mizra

October 7, 2019

A Place For Us, is a story of an Indian-American Muslim family living in California. The family gathers together to celebrate their eldest daughter’s, Hadia’s, wedding. Amar, the youngest brother, reunites with his family for the first time in three years. Rafiq and Layla contend with the choices and betrayals that lead to the their son's estrangement.

We had a great time discussing topics in this book, including family conflicts, addiction, discrimination, religion, and traditions.    ----- Yvette

YEAR 11 BEGINS -- The Wife Between Us

Sept. 9, 2019

As I was browsing through my Libby app, this book, The Wife Between Us, was listed as a recommendation. I decided to read and select it for our book club. I was intrigued by the quick change from chapter 1 to chapter 2. Blissfully happy planning her wedding, to the “too good to be true” fiancé to divorce. Who was controlling whom? Vanessa (Nellie), though she was controlling Robert and Emma, but not until the end did we know who Emma really was.

I believe we had a lively discussion on the different topics presented in the story: love (Maureen’s unhealthy relationship with her brother), friendship, mental illness, hindsight, “gaze detection”, control, etc. This story reminded me of “The Girl on the Train”, which I recently watched again on Netflix. Here is 🍷🥂to a wonderful start to our eleventh year (my fifth)!!! ❤️

                                                             ---Myrna

Asymmetry by Lisa Halliday -- June 3, 2019

Unfortunately, Maria Rodriguez had a family crisis and was not able to come and lead the discussion on Asymmetry, at The Pancake House, in Stony Point. She was kind enough to buy us appetizers, AND to leave us yummy Rockland Bakery desserts, as well as leaving us questions to guide us through our last meeting of our TENTH YEAR!! Yay us!

It was wonderful to have a small group meet and discuss Maria's choice. We talked about the characters in the first section the most - Alice, and Ezra - who was modeled after Philip Roth. Many of us did not see much of a connection between the three sections. Asymmetry dealt with race, gender, nationality, and power.

Thank you to everyone who attended, and looking forward to year 11!

I'd like to help someone else in the book club take over the blogging end of things, so think about if it's something maybe YOU can do going forward. This is the year I can be there to help. After ten years, I'm ready to retire from this job. Please, someone, step up!

XXOO
Robin

An American Marriage - May 6, 2019

Dear ladies,

Thank you for attending our book meeting, where we discussed the book An American  Marriage, by Tayari Jones. We all had a great dinner at a Mexican restaurant and enjoyed reviewing the book. I hope that most of us enjoyed the book. The book created real characters. It spoke about a black couple that was torn apart by a flawed justice system. I felt that Tayari Jones captured a lot of layers of emotion in this book and I enjoyed it. 

                    --- Sandra

SEE ME by Nicholas Sparks -- April 1, 2019

We met at a Mexican Restaurant on Route 202, chosen by Maureen, DPatron. We really missed you Maureen, but when Mary Velez explained you hadn't been feeling well, and didn't want to postpone, we understood. Most of us enjoyed the book, and we liked the characters, Colin and Maria. Our discussion of Nicholas Sparks' book, See Me, was lively and spirited, as always. When we had forgotten to take a picture of all of us, Maria Pages helped take a selfie outside. You'll see it in the video, though not everyone was in it. Sorry about that!

Please keep up your prayers and support for our bookclub buddies who are working towards optimum health. Thank you for being there for each other. Together, I know we can make a difference.

XXOO,
Robin L.

Born A Crime by Trevor Noah - March 6, 2019

So happy many were  able to join me in the WGES Mindfulness room. for our Book Club meeting. Those that couldn’t make it were surely missed.  We spent some time in a mindfulness exercise on gratitude before discussing our book, Born a Crime by Trevor Noah. I am ever so grateful for our amazing book club that started 10 years ago with amazing, gifted, caring, committed, faithful women!!❤️ 

Born A Crime  is an autobiography set in a time of apartheid in South Africa. Trevor was born at a time when interracial relationships were prohibited by law. His father was Swiss and his mother black. The union could have been punishable by five years in prison.

This book shared the strong relationship Trevor had with his mother and how she set a strong example of perseverance, hope, and striving to be better.  At times the book was humorous, he was such a mischievous child -- and then it was deeply affecting when his mother was shot.  It was a moving story of survival in what Trevor called "institutional racism", and a coming of age story with deep cultural relationship with his family, especially his mother.

I look forward to next months book See Me by Nicholas Sparks hosted by a lovely lady, my friend , Maureen Degnan.

Be blessed bookworms!!

Mary

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine - at O'Malley's in Nyack

The story Is about a young women who suffered a terrible tragedy at the tender age of 10. This horrific trauma affected her life into full adulthood. Eleanor, was critical, judgemental. She became an alcoholic and suffered from loneliness until the day she was befriended by a man name Raymond that showed her how to trust, seek help and restore her life. He was a true friend. The story was funny, sad and very rewarding to read.

I highly recommend it , even though it drags on in the beginning but, I believe it was the author’s way of showing how boring was her life.

                                                        ---Dee

China Dolls by Lisa See -- at Ocean Empire

Happy New Year to everyone! It was so nice to host the first book club for the  new year and to see everyone!  I hope everyone enjoyed the book.  

It was interesting to read about San Francisco in 1938. A time when a

war was brewing overseas, and a city is alive with possibilities. The main

characters, Grace, Helen, and Ruby became friends, relying on one another

through unexpected Challenges. Each one with a secretive pass which gets

exposed as the story goes on.  They find the strength and resilience to reachfor their dreams.  

I wish for all of my book buddies dreams to also come true.

All the best,

Millie