Read This Book!

I just finished reading this, and I absolutely LOVED it!

Basic story: Retired Major, widowed, very traditional Englishman, living in small-town England, becomes friends with the Pakistani shopkeeper (a widow), and said friendship develops into something more. He knew her for years, she mixed up special tea blends for him, but they'd just never become friends, outside the shop, until the day his brother dies. Events unfold, family is, well, like family, a little odd, a little less than you'd hoped, and nobody is in favor of their romance. He wasn't looking for it, and neither was she, but, there it is.

If you're on the waiting/hold list at Orem Library, I'm returning it today, a whole 5 days early, so your spot could come up sooner than you think. If you aren't on the list, get on it! I wanted to make sure this was one to own, before spending $20 on it, as it's new, and not out in paperback yet. I'll be buying a copy, definitely.

A Book for June

Michelle tried to force a decision out of us before we left last night, but nobody would commit to anything.

So we decided that whoever posted first could get to choose instead.

I think we all agreed we should read a classic. We just couldn't decide which one.

After checking both Orem and Provo Libraries, so that those of you who don't own a copy, or don't want to buy a new book, can check one out, I've decided on:

Wuthering Heights (Provo has 6 copies, Orem has 3; you may need to reserve. I have at least 2 copies. Also available for about $6 from B&N's classics series. You could come buy it next Thursday evening at B&N, during Maeser's book fair, and credit the profit to the school. And say hello to me and the knitting group in the cafe, while you're there.)

(I was leaning towards Cold Comfort Farm (less well-known, but only 128 pages, and a truly fun read), but there were only 2 copies at each library. Maybe next time?)

bookclub was great - wish you were there

We had a great time at Liz's last night! (thanks for hosting, Liz!)

We had Liz's yummy homemade bread sticks, and Karen's homemade strawberry jam and biscuits, some tasty peach ice cream and fresh green grapes, and some yummy dip Sarah made from I forget what, too. (We sort of wished one of us had made a caramel cake or chocolate pie, but we forgave each other - busy lives and all that. Plus, I forgot to get out the butter so it could be room temperature by the time I got home from work,so I couldn't make this caramel cake I managed to find online. Maybe next time.)

And, wow, did we have a great discussion, too! It kept veering off into our own lives and circumstances, but I think that's how it's supposed to go, right? Reading is how we learn to get along better with the rest of the world, and how we learn to cope with difficult situations, as well as being great for relaxing and entertaining ourselves.
For instance, have you heard how Liz got her revenge on her cheating boyfriend back in high school? Or how much Lisa and Sarah just hate all the Mexicans (just the ones they don't know, really)? Or that Michelle's house is the new neighborhood hangout, but all the kids are a bit older than hers, so it's making her nervous? Or, did you know, that BYU has recently discovered that focusing on academics has somehow decreased the percentage of students getting married - something they must try to amend, apparently? (My response to this, "Oh, so now you can not only think yourself out of the church*, you can think yourself out of marriage? Then, I guess I'm going apostate. Except, wait, the Gospel is true, so I can't do that.")

Did we forget to take pictures? Why, yes, we did forget. Sorry about that.

Liz has a cute little something for all of us. Be sure you get yours next time!

We left next month's book choice up in the air. Has anyone got a suggestion? Also, will it be difficult to meet up during the last week of school?

*this phrase, "think yourself out of the church", was bandied about in my teen years quite a bit. It's a sore spot with me. I will likely be posting something on my blog related to this, soon.

Bookclub this week!

Tuesday, 27th, 7pm, Liz's place.

We will be discussing The Help. Hope you read it - cuz we don't want to spoil it for you!

Anyone for chocolate pie?

April's Book

We are all such slackers. here I am at my office, in front of the computer all day, and even I don't bother. sorry. (not that I'm in charge or anything. unless I am?)

We're reading The Help this month:

Information

What is April's book? I've been checking on this site for info but not seeing any.

Mr Darcy, Vampyre

I just finished reading this. I knew it would be "light" reading, definitely fluff. I don't read much in the way of fluff, but I saw it at the library, figured there was no harm in taking it home. Library books don't cost you anything, after all. Except your time. The only regret I have about taking it back, is that someone else will be enticed to check it out and then they will read it.
I beg of you, do NOT let it be you. Unless you just have nothing else better to do. Or you are just such a HUGE P&P fan that you read everything even remotely related to it.

It is not the worst book I've ever read. But it's close. Really close.

The last two chapters felt "tacked on". As in, the writer finished, with this great scene where he's finally, at long last, sweeping her up the stairs to claim her as his bride (I am tempted to explain all here, to save you from actually reading this travesty filled with overuse of her thesaurus), and you have this lovely picture in your head of the two of them, eyes locked on each other, etc...BUT, the editor says to the author, no, I don't think our readers will like this, you must find a way to solve the problem, to make him not a Vampyre. Which she then does, very quickly, in about 10-15 pages. Seriously. Out of the blue, nothing related to any vampire lore I've ever heard of before, they find some way to magically "cure" Darcy, and every one goes home happy. Even Lady Catherine.

Yeah, right.