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

The Day The World Came to Town by Jim DeFede

We met at the Mt. Ivy Cafe on December 3, 2018 to discuss Jim DeFede's book The Day the World Came To Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland. I chose this book after we read White Chrysanthemum, because I needed to find something uplifting. Although this book brought us back to some terrible memories of 9/11, DeFede's book was filled with stories that reaffirmed our faith in humanity, and the inherent goodness in people.

We discussed many issues, including where we had been at the moment the WTC was hit. We also talked about some of the characters in the book, and which we related to the most. Laughing and learning about "Newfie language" was fun. I shared a few of the pictures Steven and I have of our wonderful summer vacation in Newfoundland.

I was disappointed in Mt. Ivy Cafe as a restaurant, and did not like that there was not a round table big enough for the 12 of us. Instead, we were seated at one big round table, and a smaller round table pushed up against it. However, the company and the discussion made up for the mediocre food and place settings. Perhaps over the summer, we can get together to see the Broadway play, entitled Come From Away, based on the book.

Wishing you all meaningful time with your families and loved ones on the holidays, and a Happy 2019 New Year!

XXOO,
Robin L.