Thursday, December 31, 2009

Just One More...

It is the last day of the year and I have managed to squeeze in one more book and plan to get at least one more mile tallied before the day has ended. My kitchen is a disaster area, and I have stepped away for the moment to sit, type, enjoy the super-red Christmas tree and have a few long breaths to savor the moment. Most of us have looked back or are looking forward; maybe you have found yourself making resolutions for the upcoming year. It is that type of day.

I have spent the last two days reading Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. This is another book soon to be turned into film in the next year. Despite an interest in the book, I found this material difficult to read. The opening paragraph reveals the narrator's murder and there is no mystery to discover who might have committed the crime, just as to whether or not s/he will be caught. There was a moment where I did not feel as though I could read further, but I pushed past the window and spent the morning finishing the last few chapters. The ending felt a bit rushed or drawn out, depending on perspective, but I won't give anything away here. Keep your eye out for one chapter which has a different title than the rest.

Thanks for spending part of your year reading my musings. Happy New Year and I hope to see you next year.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

No Dragons

I spent yesterday morning finishing The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson. This book was originally published under the title Män som hatar kvinnor (Men Who Hate Women) which is not a bad choice considering the material content. The work is the first in the Millennium series and this volume was translated by Reg Keeland. [My only significant issue in the translation is the temperature references to Fahrenheit; having been to Scandinavia, Celsius is preferred.]

The book's main characters include a young woman with advanced computer "skills" and a financial journalist who pursues stories which highlight anyone who is not acting ethically and honestly in their business. Some of the content is hard to read; violence against women and murder are prominent pieces in the book. As I moved through the chapters, however I was intensely interested in how the mystery would be solved. While I felt as if the end was not as strong as other parts of the novel, the writing might have been handled in this manner in order to transition to the next book in the series. I have reserved this title from the library so I can let you know at some point in the not so distant future if this assumption is correct.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

You'd Better Think

I finished The Help Christmas morning. I had made very good progress on the evening of the 24th but wanted to finish the book "fresh" rather than with a tired mind. The book was powerful. Once upon a time I dated someone whose father grew up under the care of a maid/nanny, and I wish now that I would have asked more questions about how this felt. I do know that he loved her. My other recurring thought as I read this book is that we (international collective we) had sent a man into space in 1961, but we had not yet reached a point where we treated everyone the same, but I suppose this holds true in some nations even now. Oh, and the Terrible Awful Thing, it was pretty bad. My sister and I spent time Thursday going through the characters (most liked, least liked) and our favorite moments in the book (some funny, some sad).

In the end, I liked the book because it spoke to me. It reminded me that I had felt compelled to read Alex Haley's Roots in the eighth grade and that I always felt that I would move from the small town in which I was raised. It brought back people I have known and conversations that I have had. It left me thinking, and I think that is what a good book should do.

Friday, December 25, 2009

Happy Merry

Today's the 25th but I'm writing this note a day early as I have a suspicion that the day will be a bit chaotic. I am poised to begin Chapter 17 in The Help and am waiting until I have another section of time to read uninterrupted. Hopefully, this time will come later tonight as I do not want to leave the book sitting too long. The story is compelling.

I hope you find a bit of quiet time in the day to enjoy a quick read or just the company of someone you love, or at least like a little bit. If you happen to be alone, perhaps savor that too with a cup of tea (or your favorite beverage). Things will begin to creep back to that level we call normal all too soon.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Help Me Help You

It should be no surprise that I took a couple of books from my sis to read over the break. I have The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, her last bookclub read, and The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Based on comments from another GBC member and a writer-stylist friend, both of whom have read The Help, I decided to start with Stockett's work. The story began in 1962 and through four chapters, I have read through Aibileen's and Minny's eyes. While some of the characters are immediately dislikable, some already seem endearing, and I find myself wondering "what's next?" Sis says she wants to be around when I discover the "Terrible Awful Thing" which was done. Of course, now I'm really curious.

Monday, December 21, 2009

We are Not Alone

It seems we are not the only club that fails to discuss the book. My sister has just returned from her book club meeting with the intended discussion of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson. This was the first of three manuscripts handed to his publisher in 2004 shortly before he died. Described as "engrossing, but at times disturbing," my sister felt it was worth the read. This will likely be my pre-Christmas reading as well.

Sometimes life, with the aid of video, will take precedence over discussion. For the record, reading water was not involved.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Penny for Your Thoughts

One other item of news from our meeting this week is that the GBC is participating in the Pennies for Peace program. One of our members recently read Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace, One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Renin and was so moved by the work she prepared labeled jars for each of us so that we may collect our change. We are also laying down the gauntlet for other bookclubs to participate.

Perhaps each of us have had to re-evaluate budgets this year; this month's meeting was a reminder that we are fortunate. Enjoy the holidays and share your pennies with someone who needs them.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Santa Baby

The GBC can keep a secret for two months. Who knew?

This month's meeting was a combo book club/baby shower for two of the GBC members. The scheme was hatched at the end of the October gathering; reading water can be so inspiring.

The culprits, who gave themselves such nicknames as "wise men," met at a fellow bookclubbers house to assemble a basket of gifts (baby books) as well as diaper the beverages of choice. The atmosphere was festive in preparation with one member singing a verse of "We Wish You a Merry Baby." As the appointed hour grew nearer and the last attorney arrived, the group began to assemble in a line down the sidewalk donned in jackets, gloves and hats, as it was a cold winter's night. In the journey walking two houses down, a verse of "Away in the Manger" was sung by GBC members though the last few lines trailed off without lyric books.

When the hosting couple (a.k.a. the parents-to-be) opened the door, they were greeted with a single crowd of cheering clubbers (not to be confused with a mob). "What did my wondering eyes should appear - you all arrived at the same time; that is so dear!" was rumored to have been said, though cannot be confirmed. As the bottles of diapered wine and juice were presented, our unsuspecting hosts realized that the GBC was in fact throwing a shower, and that this group could be the oddest set of bookclubbers in this town.

Books were unwrapped, photos were taken, toasts were given, and "oohs" and "aahs" were said at appropriate times. It was a happy gathering.

The food was, of course, fantastic with homemade tamales and a now infamous squash casserole to accompany. The cheese course was delicious to begin, and dinner closed with gingerbread and freshly whipped cream.

At some point the club settled in for a long winter's discussion about the readings, noting our favourite passages or poems. The GBC continued the tradition of reading aloud in the round with "Buying Presents" by E.M. Delafield.

As the evening began to wear down and guests were shepherded out the door, there was a sigh and a wave. And to all, a good night.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Active List-ening

It has just occurred to me that I have not completed the readings for bookclub. Hmm, still a bit of time, but I should have heeded my own advice to take advantage of last weekend.

This is the time of year that I am most prone to list-making, list-following, list-amending, and the rare list-losing. Events seem to fill the calendar and, as one occasion passes, I begin to look toward the next. My personal reading seems to suffer during the month in exchange for more social activities [see previous post re: prep-holiday reading in order to be more conversational]. One of the benefits of the festivities is that I usually get a recommended book to add to the spreadsheet; last night's suggestion was The Power of Who: You Already Know Everyone You Need to Know by Bob Beaudine.

Hope you too are having a social month and that you receive a few good book ideas for 2010.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

One Assumption

As previously mentioned, our very own GBC Michael (aka GBC F.L. Right) conducted a book signing today at the Mad Platter. Various GBC members were present with a host of savory and sweet treats for snacking during the event.

We are extremely proud of GBC Michael for this endeavor. Assumption Church is one of our oldest neighborhood churches (if not THE oldest - I'll confirm after reading the book), and GBC Michael undertook the labor of love to update its history from 1859.

Friday, December 11, 2009

December Comes Full Circle

It's Friday and Fridays make me happy.

It's the weekend before bookclub, so finish reading. Also think about what fantastic thing you'll bring to our last meeting of the year. If after reflection, you are still at a loss, bring reading water.

It's two days before the Sunday Book Club signing at The Mad Platter where one of our very own members will be signing copies of "Church of the Assumption: 150 years". I am certain if you ask nicely, he will personalize your dedication.

It's the winter before the spring when Elliott Bay Book Company will be moving. I spent one of my best Seattle afternoons in this independent bookstore found, as many of them are for me, by accident on a meandering walk. One of their current recommended books is Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World has Never Seen by Christopher McDougall. This book was also recommended to me by a stranger (who is now not a stranger) while I was waiting on a meal from our local Zackie's a few weeks ago. I do love our neighborhood.

I also love Fridays...

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

December Discovery

Summary
Yesterday my daily habit of on-line news reading lead me to a magazine which led me to a book list which led me to another website which led me to this post.

Details
The Times is a newspaper site that I frequent three to four times a week for news, and last month I discovered their new monthly environment and science magazine, Eureka. The magazine contains a quiz (see earlier post for previous geek revelation), and last night I was in the mood for Issue 2. I should also let you know that my day began by reading an article shared by GBC Kate on art meeting science from the NY Times which may have influenced my decision to read an old article from a previous Eureka issue on books and science. This October article introduced me to both the Cheltenham Festival series and the inaugural Wellcome Book Prize. The intent of the Wellcome Prize is to "celebrate medicine in literature" and the 2009 short-list of nominees was a selection of titles that I had not seen in previous lists of recommended book reads. The books captured my interest and I wanted to share them with you.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Spanish Tuba

Friday night I was caught in a myriad of holiday event traffic downtown: Rudolf 5K Run, Christmas Parade, events at the Sommet and Ryman, and anyone else who had a craving for a take-out curry. The holidays seemed to be getting in full swing which left me thinking, "What about the tubas?" For several years each December we had a lunch concert of a Tuba Christmas at the downtown Main library and now, with my current schedule, I just might be able to attend. As it turns out, the Merry Tuba Christmas has changed venues and will play December 15 at the First Baptist Church with dual shows at 11 and 12:30.

Despite the change, my visit to our library website in search of a tuba did not leave me disappointed; I learned about Mango (and a selection of Nutcrackers on display but that's just creepy). Our library offers online learning for seven languages and the service has made New York Public Library's "Best of Reference List". I plan to give it a try just for the experience (and the blogging potential).

Saturday, December 5, 2009

No Silent Night for Germantown

The weather is cool, crisp and sunny which makes for lovely indoor time this morning. My reading this weekend will be focused on the last three chapters of manuscript review that I began a few weeks ago. (I was reminded by the author that I do have the time to work on this.)

Several of the book clubbers will turn into song clubbers this evening as we peruse the neighborhood caroling in support of the homes tour. Our voice range seems to be as varied as our taste in book genres which should make for a very melodic experience.

Enjoy your weekend; hope you find something that makes you read or sing.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

The Choice is Yours (but influenced by me)

I have moved to Nudge and last night completed the second chapter entitled "Resisting Temptation" - apropos for this time of year, wouldn't you agree?

The introduction began with an example of a director of food services who found she could influence lunch item decisions due to product placement on the line (sequence, height, e.g.). I was intrigued. For anyone in the business arena or merely an avid shopper, this news is no surprise, however couple this story with a writing style which includes clever footnotes and a reference to Homer's, "Five Days? But I'm mad now!" when referencing a weapon's purchase, and I want to continue on. It did not hurt my interest level that there was also a short quiz to illustrate automatic verses reflective system thinking. (I do love quizzes.)

Since I'm only one-fifth into the book, I can make no broader statements other than I am interested. We shall see how it goes.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

December Unveiled

In the last two days I have finished Reading Lolita in Tehran and jumped through a variety of other books in either searching for answers for knitting questions or for words of sympathy when I had none of my own. Finishing the title left me a bit sad and I am happy there was sunshine to lift my mood when the last pages were turned. Nafisi writes near the book's closing (p.325) that "Other people's sorrows and joys have a way of reminding us of our own; we partly empathize with them because we ask ourselves: What about me?" So it was perhaps with trying to find the "right" words of sympathy.

This is a book that made me want to revisit titles that were either long ago read or perhaps never studied. Daisy Miller and Madame Bovary have been added to my list.