Susan, Carol, Donna, Kori, Deb, Heather (missing Martha and Jill) Photo credit: Mckenzie Lettice

What’s this? The Wine, Women and Words Book Club traveled to the South of France for it’s meeting? Alas, no, but check out this fabulous setting in Donna’s backyard. The pool, the cows, the cats, the perfect weather and, best of all, the people. What a lovely night!

Our book for this month was THE POISONWOOD BIBLE. What an intense, compelling read! We had lots of discussion on this one. The mother! For goodness sake, what were you thinking? Can we forgive you? I just don’t know. And the father. Please. Don’t get me started. The word bastard seemed permanently attached to his name.

We agreed this book was well worth reading.

Next up is AMSTERDAM by Ian McEwan. (Not to be confused with the actor Ian McGregor).

This was Susan’s pick as she will be hosting next month when we make a field trip to Merced to see the movie Eat, Pray, Love then head to Susan’s house for our book discussion and appropriate wine selection. The author is probably best known for his book, ATONEMENT, which was made into a movie. (Yes, Susan, I Googled it. Completely missed my “a-ha” moment. Sigh.)

It occured to me that you might be curious about our monthly wine selections. Last night, I found a couple of nice bottles, which, I must confess, were chosen for their labels and names, alone. The first was a chardonnay from South Africa (the closest I could find to the Congo). It was called: Missionvale. It was very nice. The second was an Edna Valley (California) syrah from Tin House winery.  The image on the label made me think of the house the family lived in in the book, although it was probably a huge step up, actually.

Looking ahead, our October selections are: THE GOOD PROVIDER by Debra Salonen and A PERFECT FAMILY by Kathryn Shay.

Deb

Thanks to Kori for a lovely evening discussing her book choice, Ender’s Game.

This book is true science-fiction and twenty-some years old (sorry, lent my copy to a friend so can’t remember the exact publication date), but the message was timeless, the story interesting and the conversation last night divided.

This is a good thing in my opinion.

Some people–especially the mothers of young sons–weren’t convinced an 11-year old *could* save the world. (I’m pretty sure mine could have, if he’d been called upon to do so, but I’m glad he wasn’t. Poor Ender was far from normal and most of the time his life wasn’t exactly pleasant.) I got quite choked up at the end of the book–don’t you hate it when you start sobbing on an airplane? Fortunately, I wasn’t *that* choked up, but the ending was intense.

Great food, excellent wine–thank you, Heather–and amazingly mild temps for the first of July made dining on Kori’s patio absolutely perfect. Oh, and did I mention the brownies? Yummy. Thanks, Carol.

Next up: THE POISONWOOD BIBLE by Barbara Kingsolver.

I can’t wait. I love her writing but have been hesitant to start such a large book. Now, it’s required, so I’m off to pick it up.  I hope you’ll join in. And anyone who has read Ender’s Game and would care to comment, I’d be delighted to pass on your comments to the group.

Happy reading!

Deb

I forgot to post this yesterday. The final name pulled from my lovely cache of lovely names is: Barbs.

You probably have all my books, but if you’re missing any let me know. And the remaining two card choices are: the kitty and the blue background wine goblet.

Congrats!

Deb

Oh….Donna, your name came up this morning. Congrats. Pick a card and let me know if you’re missing something from my back list. (I think you said you’d already found UNTIL HE MET RACHEL.) I’ll get this in the mail ASAP.

Last night the Wine, Women and Words Book Club met at Martha’s (thank you, Martha, for stepping up at the last minute to provide a beautiful setting and yummy menu) to discuss “The Gargoyle.”

LOTS of discussion. Everyone seemed to find the story interesting, the references to Dante’s Inferno intriguing enough to check out more, and, at times, very disturbing. We all agreed there were elements we’d never fully understand and were okay with the mystery–like was the female protagonist sharing past lives experiences or was she really crazy?

We also agreed that UNTIL HE MET RACHEL was a comforting antidote to the darkness of The Gargoyle–very different wounded heroes and outcomes.

Our next read is: Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. This science fiction novel has been on our TBR list for over a year. None of us are avid SF fanatics, but we are all looking forward to giving the genre a try.

Have a great week, everyone. See you tomorrow in DebLand.

Deb

April’s meeting of the Wine, Women and Words book club took place last night (Sunday, May 2) at Carol’s home.

Yes, yes, I know. We missed it by a couple of days, but that’s what happens when your members are all busy, busy people with tons of commitments. But, regardless of the late date, we had a smashing good time–and even welcomed a new member to the group.

Susan. Not Sue. (I know because I autographed my book for her, and I always ask.) Welcome, Susan. We are happy to have you.

In case you’ve forgotten (several of us had), our book this month was: COMMITTED by Elizabeth Gilbert. We talked about it–sorta. You know, it’s one of those books that people seem to find interesting, but they don’t necessarily have a lot to say about it. Not sure why that is.

One of us felt the author was naive to think anyone could breeze in and out of a post-9-11 America without hitting some kind of security check at some point.

Another was intrigued by the idea that a committed relationship doesn’t need a marriage license to authenticate it. Not everyone agreed with that point.

We all applauded the author’s research and felt we learned some interesting facts about marriage, historically and from spots around the world.

NEXT MONTH, I mean THIS MONTH, we’re reading about two very different wounded heroes. Mine and Andrew Davidson’s.

UNTIL HE MET RACHEL

and The Gargoyle

I’d be happy to share your comments with the WW&W members if you’ve read either or both.

Until next, month Happy Reading.

(Oh, and I’m posting information about my May Contest tomorrow in my regular “Tuesdays in Debland” blog.)

Deb

Chocolate or handsome butts? I can’t decide which to blog about. You can see my dilemma below.

On left we have the ongoing debate about whether or not dark chocolate is good for you. A new study released says while it raises our spirits temporarily, it also adds to depression.  http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-17613-Providence-Chocolate-Examiner~y2010m4d27-Depressed-people-eat-more-chocolate-Study-reveals-relationship-between-chocolate-and-mood What do you think?

Personally, I’m glad chocolate isn’t my vice. I think it’s one of those “everything in moderation” sort of rewards. Pigging out on anything–even carrots (my son turned orange once from drinking too much carrot juice)–is not a good thing. But, ooh, yum. I do have certain favorites. (And am always in the market for more, if you’d care to dish.)

Now, to the photo on the right. I have no idea how my friend Colleen always manages to send me just the right link/email on Tuesday mornings when I’m sitting at an empty blog page with an empty idea bank, but somehow she does. Thank you, Colleen. This photo accompanied a silly joke, but the photo has significance to my work because…you think this is going to be a reach, right? That I’m using gratuitous butt images because butts sell…well…wrong! There’s a connection. Really.

Rufus (hero of my soon-to-be-released May Superromance) was a famous underwear model before he became a hermit in the Black Hills. So there!

Take your pick–candy or eye candy. My treat.

Happy Tuesday!

Deb

Discover, debate and discuss books over wine with Libby, Jenna, Kat and Char from Sentinel Pass in the Wine, Women & Words Bookclub.

Our First Book:

Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

“ I wonder how the book got to Guernsey? Perhaps there is some sort of secret homing instinct in books that brings them to their perfect readers.”

January 1946: London is emerging from the shadow of the Second World War, and writer Juliet Ashton is looking for her next book subject. Who could imagine that she would find it in a letter from a man she’s never met, a native of the island of Guernsey, who has come across her name written inside a book by Charles Lamb….

As Juliet and her new correspondent exchange letters, Juliet is drawn into the world of this man and his friends—and what a wonderfully eccentric world it is. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society—born as a spur-of-the-moment alibi when its members were discovered breaking curfew by the Germans occupying their island—boasts a charming, funny, deeply human cast of characters, from pig farmers to phrenologists, literature lovers all.

Juliet begins a remarkable correspondence with the society’s members, learning about their island, their taste in books, and the impact the recent German occupation has had on their lives. Captivated by their stories, she sets sail for Guernsey, and what she finds will change her forever.

Written with warmth and humor as a series of letters, this novel is a celebration of the written word in all its guises, and of finding connection in the most surprising ways. (description from the hardcover, from randomhouse.com.)

Available for purchase:
Amazon.com | B&N

Questions

1. The most heart-wrenching moment for me in this book was when the parents on the island had to decide whether to send their children away to keep them safe or keep them near and hope for the best. What would you do?

2. There were some unconventional heroines in this book—the main protagonist, of course, but also the women who dared eat pig—and set up a book club. One woman fell in love a member of the occupying force and stood up to her brutal captors. Each was tested by her times and by love. Discuss.

3. Humor. For me, there were an equal number of smiles and tears in this book. Share your favorite example of each.