Hi all,
We had a great evening at Cathy's Wednesday. We missed Ruth, Mary, Dawne and Barb, although we gained Lisa's sister who was a very fun and lively addition -- too bad she's heading back to Scotland.
Our next meeting will be at Lisa' s in October (date yet to be decided) and our book will be Strawberry Fields by Marina Lewycka. Yay!
cheerio,
Carla
Friday, September 25, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Next Meeting: What, When, Where?
When?:I'd love to meet Lisa's sister while she's in town! Since she's only here for 2 weeks, I'd vote the week of Sept. 21st. I teach Tuesday evenings. Cathy is not available Thursday the 24th, right Cathy? Would Monday or Wednesday work for everyone?
What?: Since it's only a week away and not time enough for most of us to get through a novel, I'd suggest short stories, like we did in May.
Where?: Anyone up for hosting?
(You can add your comments by clicking on '0 comments' at the bottom of this posting.)
What?: Since it's only a week away and not time enough for most of us to get through a novel, I'd suggest short stories, like we did in May.
Where?: Anyone up for hosting?
(You can add your comments by clicking on '0 comments' at the bottom of this posting.)
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Suggestions for September's book?
Well, as you may have guessed, my pick would be 'Strawberry Fields'. However, if I remember correctly, it was my brainy idea to read short stories in May after totally flopping with 'Fruit', and Dawne's pick was 'Ladies and Gentlemen, the Bible' for June. Does anyone else have any suggestions? As our newest victim, how about you, Lisette?
Dear witty women,
I just read the most amazing book (thanks, Ruth!). It's called Strawberry Fields and is by Marina Lewycka, the author of another we've read: A Short History of Tractors in the Ukraine. I was so impressed with Strawberry Fields (called Two Caravans in the UK) that I emailed the author and she was gracious enough to respond (see below). If you're looking for a book with which to end the summer with a bang, I recommend this one.
Carla
Dear Carla
Thanks so much for your letter, and I'm glad you enjoyed Strawberry Fields. You know, not long after I finished the Tractors book, someone thrust a leaflet into my hand saying, "Here, you're Ukrainian -this'll interest you." It was Called 'Gone West: Ukrainians at work in Britain today' - and the more I read, the more horrified I was. And I started to think, there's a story in this. And then I thought, this is my story to tell - if I don't tell it no one else will. So that's how it started.
It's so sad that once one group of people finds the courage and resources to stand up to this kind of exploitation, they simply bring in another lot from somewhere else. I know Canada is a country of immigrants - there are plenty of us Ukrainians over there - and maybe you have stricter employment laws over there. Though we have fairly tough employment laws over here, which are simply not enforced. But I didn't want to paint a totally dismal picture. I think most immigrants, like my parents when they arrived in the UK, just want the chance to earn money and raise themselves out of poverty and have a laugh and a few nice meals, and for their children to have a better life than they did. It should be so simple - but it seldom is!
Thanks once more for taking the trouble to write, All best wishes, Marina
________________________________________
Subject: Strawberry Fields
Dear Marina, I'm in Fredericton, N.B. Canada and just finished reading your book while on vacation. It is amazing. I read your first novel and also very much enjoyed it -- so very clever, original and funny ("crap car"), but I think I enjoyed this one even more. I teach psychology and my partner is a sociologist, but I had never really considered the immigrant's experience.
Irina and Andriyi were with me yesterday as I explored the Glace Bay miner's museum in N.S. with my children. Like them, these miners were literally owned by British barons into the middle of the 20th century and were outrageously exploited. Forced to perform very hazardous work, families were routinely blackmailed into sending their children (as young as eight) into the mines when fathers were incapacitated. In 1925 $708 was the average miner's salary and out of this was deducted $461 for accommodations, the gear they needed to do their jobs, oil for their lanterns etc. During this particular year there was a labour riot against BESCO, which brought to mind the scene in your book at the poultry farm. It amazes me that these practices continue into the 21C.
Thank you for writing this amazing book, which not only entertained but also informed.
Best wishes, Carla Gunn
I just read the most amazing book (thanks, Ruth!). It's called Strawberry Fields and is by Marina Lewycka, the author of another we've read: A Short History of Tractors in the Ukraine. I was so impressed with Strawberry Fields (called Two Caravans in the UK) that I emailed the author and she was gracious enough to respond (see below). If you're looking for a book with which to end the summer with a bang, I recommend this one.
Carla
Dear Carla
Thanks so much for your letter, and I'm glad you enjoyed Strawberry Fields. You know, not long after I finished the Tractors book, someone thrust a leaflet into my hand saying, "Here, you're Ukrainian -this'll interest you." It was Called 'Gone West: Ukrainians at work in Britain today' - and the more I read, the more horrified I was. And I started to think, there's a story in this. And then I thought, this is my story to tell - if I don't tell it no one else will. So that's how it started.
It's so sad that once one group of people finds the courage and resources to stand up to this kind of exploitation, they simply bring in another lot from somewhere else. I know Canada is a country of immigrants - there are plenty of us Ukrainians over there - and maybe you have stricter employment laws over there. Though we have fairly tough employment laws over here, which are simply not enforced. But I didn't want to paint a totally dismal picture. I think most immigrants, like my parents when they arrived in the UK, just want the chance to earn money and raise themselves out of poverty and have a laugh and a few nice meals, and for their children to have a better life than they did. It should be so simple - but it seldom is!
Thanks once more for taking the trouble to write, All best wishes, Marina
________________________________________
Subject: Strawberry Fields
Dear Marina, I'm in Fredericton, N.B. Canada and just finished reading your book while on vacation. It is amazing. I read your first novel and also very much enjoyed it -- so very clever, original and funny ("crap car"), but I think I enjoyed this one even more. I teach psychology and my partner is a sociologist, but I had never really considered the immigrant's experience.
Irina and Andriyi were with me yesterday as I explored the Glace Bay miner's museum in N.S. with my children. Like them, these miners were literally owned by British barons into the middle of the 20th century and were outrageously exploited. Forced to perform very hazardous work, families were routinely blackmailed into sending their children (as young as eight) into the mines when fathers were incapacitated. In 1925 $708 was the average miner's salary and out of this was deducted $461 for accommodations, the gear they needed to do their jobs, oil for their lanterns etc. During this particular year there was a labour riot against BESCO, which brought to mind the scene in your book at the poultry farm. It amazes me that these practices continue into the 21C.
Thank you for writing this amazing book, which not only entertained but also informed.
Best wishes, Carla Gunn
Monday, July 20, 2009
I am so glad that everyone had a good time. Although we are an eclectic group, the mix seems to work and you are an easy group to entertain. It's not hard to host when people are so convivial. And Carla, I am not at all surprised that your face is sore : ). I have to catch up on Stephen's story sometime as I came in at the very end. It seemed that Dawne was more concerned about her strawberry jam than Stephen's safety....but that can't be right, can it? I think we should party more often. Maybe we should be a party group and not a book club at all, just kidding.
I think Sue would make a great addition to the book club but I think she already belongs to one. Maybe we can poach her from them, I will see what she thinks.
Is anyone reading anything really good this summer? I need a great summer read...a book that will grab me and pull me in. I just finished Ian Bank's Crow Road. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't a real captivating read. Donald told me at the party that this was TV series in Scotland (that's where it is set). Reading another now called Man and Boy. I am liking it, but again not a book that grabs you and makes you want to steal as much time as you can from other things to sit down with it.
I am enjoying reading the Blog Carla, thanks for setting it up and making it so easy to contribute to.
I think Sue would make a great addition to the book club but I think she already belongs to one. Maybe we can poach her from them, I will see what she thinks.
Is anyone reading anything really good this summer? I need a great summer read...a book that will grab me and pull me in. I just finished Ian Bank's Crow Road. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't a real captivating read. Donald told me at the party that this was TV series in Scotland (that's where it is set). Reading another now called Man and Boy. I am liking it, but again not a book that grabs you and makes you want to steal as much time as you can from other things to sit down with it.
I am enjoying reading the Blog Carla, thanks for setting it up and making it so easy to contribute to.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Book Party at Wendy's and Mitch's!
Well, where to start? Chris and I had a fabulous time. My face still hurts today from laughing. Thanks sooo much to Wendy and Mitch for the incredible food and for once again being the absolute best hosts. And a big thanks to Ruth for taking all those great pictures that so well reflect the mood of the evening (I especially love the one of Stephen telling his strawberry-picking story! I hate the ones of me but as I was saying to Lisa, in 20 years time I will think I looked beautiful :)) http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=278382&id=830925396&l=f254b2b409
It was really nice to have Debbie and Sue there, too, Wendy. Maybe Sue is looking for a book club to join? I know Debbie already belongs to one or two but I think Sue would fit in just fine, don't you all?
Have a great summer!
Carla
It was really nice to have Debbie and Sue there, too, Wendy. Maybe Sue is looking for a book club to join? I know Debbie already belongs to one or two but I think Sue would fit in just fine, don't you all?
Have a great summer!
Carla
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
What are you reading???
Carla (I think) asked what we were reading this summer. Right now, I am reviewing a book called "Becoming My Mother's Daughter: A Story of Survival and Renewal" by Erika Gottlieb. I'm always a bit nervous about reviewing books, because you never know what you're going to get. But this book is very good, and based on three generations of Jewish Hungarian women in Gottlieb's family.
http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Becoming-My-Mother-Daughter-Story-Erika-Gottlieb/9781554580309-item.html
And (I can hear the groans beginning) I am re-reading Ann Marie McDonald's "Where the Crow Flies."
Finally, Em and I made 63 bottles of strawberry jam on Sunday. I'm still recovering.
What am I supposed to be doing? Working. Am I? Not really.
all the best,
dawne
http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Becoming-My-Mother-Daughter-Story-Erika-Gottlieb/9781554580309-item.html
And (I can hear the groans beginning) I am re-reading Ann Marie McDonald's "Where the Crow Flies."
Finally, Em and I made 63 bottles of strawberry jam on Sunday. I'm still recovering.
What am I supposed to be doing? Working. Am I? Not really.
all the best,
dawne
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