The Nest by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney -March 5, 2018 at Cityline Diner

Hi!

Our book, The Nest, was about difficult family relationships, secrets and deception. We enjoyed a discussion around these topics since we can all relate in some way . We enjoyed a dinner and lots of catching up. I am looking forward to the next meeting! Enjoy your holidays! 

Love,

Yvette

The 57 Bus by Dashka Slater -- Feb. 5, 2018

I was very excited about reading the book The 57 Bus.  This book was a riveting non fiction book about gender, crime, and racial issues. I was happy to hear the wonderful response it received from other book club members.

The story raised so many questions for us as a group of educators. We service so many students each day and see how impulsively they can act; and many of us realized it is the brain development of an adolescent.  The story was painful and complex, it created a good discussion during the meeting.

The 57 Bus was an excellent book that showed us how impulsive actions can lead to negative consequences.  We also learned about forgiveness, tolerance, and how "not to judge".

                                                                            ---- Damary Soto

The Silent Wife -- Cityline Dec. 11, 2017

The Silent Wife book focused on a relationship between two people Todd and Jodi, who were once in love, however Todd becomes a committed cheater . Todd was so self-centered that he could not commit to anyone. Todd and Jodi were in a bad place in their marriage. Much was at stake in the marriage including an affluent life and a condo in Chicago. Jody, who loved Todd very much, refused  to object to anything he did -- and didn’t yell or scream. She tried to use her silence as a weapon. At first, I thought I would like the book, but unfortunately I found the character Jodi to be too submissive -- although she used her silence to be her weapon. I was a little disappointed with the book.

                                         -----Sandrahe story dragged on and left you wondering who really killed Thank you!

Sandra Rivera

The Two Family House at New City Kosher Deli -- Nov. 13, 2017

I selected this story after reading a short excerpt.  I thoroughly enjoyed the story of brothers Abe and Mort and sisters-in-law Helen and Rose.  As Jill said, “this story can be about any family”.  It transcends cultures. This story is the author’s first.   She based some of the events on her grandmother’s tales about her family.  The one thing that bothered her most about most (if not all) cultures is their desire to have a boy or treating the boys as princes.  Mary Velez shared her own story of her father.  He didn’t want to hold the baby, but was forced to when her mother left him alone with the baby and he needed to comfort her.  His love for her bloomed. I wonder if father’s want boys because they get to “carry” the paternal family name. 0r ________________ fill in the blank.

Whenever, I hear stories of men wanting sons, I’m reminded of this great song, "El 

Gran Varon" by Willie Colon (Google it).   The events portrayed in The Two-Family House gives readers many topics to think about: motherhood, nature vs.. nurture, longing, love, betrayal, regret, and the consequences of buried secrets.  I believe we touched on most of the topics in our discussion. Thank you bookworms for the insightful conversations.

                                          --- Myrna

Necessary Lies at Beni's Trattoria

Twelve of us met at Beni's Trattoria in Garnerville to discuss Necessary Lies by Diane Chamberlain. It was so wonderful to welcome Maureen Degnan as a new bookworm, and welcome back Diana Perez - the returning bookworm. Maria Rego rejoined us too, back from Florida. Thank you Miggy for popping in to visit before your Florida trip! I'm happy that most seemed to really enjoy the book. I loved it for the historical fiction elements, as well as the warm, believable characters and a great story. And, I'm a sucker for a happy ending!

The story was told in the voices of Ivy Hart and Jane Forrester - two seemingly very different women - but as it turned out they shared many things in common. Family values, social economic status, male/female relationships were some of the many topics talked about. We also discussed the surprising facts of forced sterilization - in the U.S. (including California, Pennsylvania and North Carolina), Canada, Puerto Rico, Japan, China, Peru and other places in the United States and around the world. Some of the facts were shocking - In 1968 up to 1/3 of Puerto Rican women were sterilized. What a relief that the book ended on a happy note in so many ways.

We made text to self connections. As we went around the table, we all discussed #metoo. With one exception, we all experienced some kind of sexual advances as young girls or women. Yet none of us told our parents or any adult. Hopefully, the world is different now, than it was for us back then.

If you weren't there we missed you -- hope to see everyone on November 13, when Myrna will lead the discussion on The Two Family House by Lynda Cohen Loigman.

XXOO,
Robin L.

WONDER

Our 2017 school year book club was up to an uplifting start with the novel, WONDER by R. J. Palacio. It was so nice to reconnect with everyone. For those of you unable to attend, we missed you. Hope all enjoyed the discussion, great company, and slow service (haha). Hopefully, after reading about Auggie's life, all of your already overflowing, generous hearts will be filled with even just a little more empathy, love, compassion, and kindness towards others.

It was my pleasure to host September's meeting at Blu Fig --
Irene

For kindness begets kindness evermore -- Sophocles

If you ever feel lost, let your heart be your compass. -- Emily

If plan "A" doesn't work, just remember: the alphabet has 25 more letters. --Unknown

All you need is love. --John Lennon and Paul McCartney

When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot in it, and hang on.--Thomas Jefferson

The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane

My Dear Friends,

It was so nice to spend another wonderful afternoon with all of you to discuss The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See.  It’s a powerful story about a family, separated by circumstances, culture, and distance. The author does an excellent job at painting a remarkable portrait of a little known region and its people.  She elaborates on the Akha tribe's culture, the important role tea plays in Chinese culture, and the special bond that connects mothers and daughters -- even if they live continents apart.

I think we all enjoyed eating the delicious Chinese food at Ocean Empire, along with drinking tea, and taking in all the Chinese decor. It was extra special for me because it was my last book club meeting as an “active” teacher, I’ll be a teacher until I die! Thank you all for the delicious chocolates and wine, how did you know…ha, and gift card to Hand and Stone Massage, can’t wait! Your generosity, thoughtfulness, and friendship are forever in my heart!

Wishing all of you a wonderful summer filled with good health, relaxation, adventure, and reading!

Love you all!

Maria P.