Still Alice

January 23, 2012 

We enjoyed a great afternoon and dinner at Bella Rose Cafe in Haverstraw. Still Alice touched many of us so deeply. Almost everyone knew someone, or a loved one, who has been devastated by Alzheimer's disease. Lisa Genova brought the trials and tribulations to us so vividly - since she wrote the book in the voice of a patient with Alzheimer's. Many of us were comforted to know that we weren't the only ones to worry about our memories while reading the book. In the part where Alice visits the Doctor, who tests her memory by asking her to remember an address and name later on in her visit, I found myself trying to repeat the name so I, too, would remember it later on. Thank you to everyone who took time out of their busy schedules to discuss this touching, and memorable, novel.

The Space Between Us at Veggie Heaven

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

The Kitchen House - Oct. 24, 2011

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

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.

Love, Maria

We Begin Our Third Year!

             

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.

XXOO-
Robin

Two Years and Counting!

Hello Bookworms,

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.

Until September,

Nicole & Tracy

I'd Know You Anywhere

Dear Bookworms,

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.

Love,

Maria Pages