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.

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

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

hi from Vancouver

Hi there! OK, so I am on the 23rd floor of the Delta in downtown Vancouver, watching my cruise ship ( oh yes... it is MINE!!) dock as we speak! See how diligent I am? I am writing to say that here it is sunny, and it is awesome, and I am finally going to get a break!! I know I sound like a crazy person so I promise to be sane when I get back... maybe!

xx,

Lisette

I am waiting for the right moment and frame of mind to read Winter Vault.

Hi All,

So we now have a Blog....I've alwasy thought blogs were stupid, but here I am.

Writers go bonkers

Remember that book we read a lonnnngg time ago by Alice Hoffman? I think it was called The Blue Diary (she also wrote the book Practical Magic that was made into a movie). Anyway, it appears she went ballistic: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/blogs/shelf-life/ Hope she never visits our book group :)

After my three weeks of teaching hell are over (by July 26th), I'm going to read something fun. I picked up the The Guernsey Literary And Potato Peel Pie Society and am looking forward to it. What are you reading this summer?

Hi all,

During our fabulous meeting at Dawne's we set a date for our annual party at Wendy and Mitch's! It will be Saturday, July 18th at around 6:30. Can't wait! (Maybe if we all do a sun dance now we'll have good weather by then. I'm sure I'm developing rickets...) --carla

Welcome Wendy, Ruth, Lisa, Mary, Dawne, Lisette, Barb, Cathy and Carla to your BOOK BLOG!

Okay, so the other night we discussed how this will not only be the place we check to remind ourselves of our monthly reading choice, meeting date etc., but that it will also serve as a place for an ongoing record of our selections and our impressions of each. AND we can post anything else we darn well please -- like links to clips of authors we're reading, readers' guides, other books we recommend, pictures etc.

So go ahead and say something, you witty woman you.