The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach

Some said we discussed this book more than any other in the history of our book club.  Andi even said she liked the book more after the hefty discussion.  Pretty sure Beth was the only one who gave it a thumbs down; she felt the author tried too hard.  Even though the book is filled with flawed characters who aren't all that likeable, we felt the book moved quickly, told a good story, and presented itself as a good literary piece of work.  

Highlights of last nights discussion include...

• love and obsession (apparently we are all still adolescents when it comes to love sometimes)
• the human condition
• vulnerability
• addiction
• good writing vs good storytelling

You know, we call this the Fun First book club because no one should ever feel pressure to read this book and we want everyone to come regardless if they read the book; however, last night it might have been a little too boring for those who came and hadn't read the book, so I apologize for all of that silly book talk last night.  But it was awesome to see everyone (Nora, Andrea, Renee, Amy Horton, Beth, Erin, Shelley, Andi, and Jenny) and we look forward to seeing everyone else next month!

May 10 at Shelley's.  More info to follow.  The book is The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot.  See you then!

-amy

Unwind by Neil Schusterman

April 13: ACK! This was sitting in the drafts section of the blog.  Sorry for the delay!

For the March book club, we met at Houlihan's in Richfield to discuss Unwind- a YA book that deals with reproduction rights in a futuristic, dystopian world.  It was a page-turner and thus a quick read.  It seemed to remind people of Never Let Me Go from last year or Delirium from this fall.

The adolescent characters in the book face being "unwound" for different reasons.  Basically, their parents or the government has decided to harvest their organs to be transplanted to other people once they turn 18 because some of them are disobedient (Conor) or because they are being tithed (Lev) or they have no family (Risa).  It's hard to read sometimes because the characters are likeable and we know their fate just as they do.  The plot remains unpredictable, and the climax of the story is gripping and fulfilling for readers.  We all agreed that the book was good and offers substantial material to be discussed and debated.

Many of us noted the political undertones (though not so "under") of this book.  Erin and Amy H. pointed out how you could see the fringe of our society taking small steps and ending up in a place where an abortion alternative like being unwound starts to make sense.  Jen Buckley noted that there was a horror aspect to the book that made her wonder if it's appropriate for some more sensitive adolescents and could she teach it to her 7th graders.

So, we leave winter behind and move into spring.  Next month's book club is in St. Paul at my house.  We will be discussing The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach.  Hope to see you then!

-amy

p.s.  We had to meet at Houlihan's because Andi is homeless, or between homes, rather.  Good luck moving, Andi. Happy New House!

Skipping ahead a bit...

Hello there, book club fans.

January book club was great I'm sure.  I wasn't there- having a baby.  Renee and Horton were at the hospital too.  We were told it was a lovely evening that we missed.

February book club was really a storytelling event.  Renee, Erin, Andi (quickly trying to finish the last 50 pages), me and guest star Marion told the wonderful, beautiful tale of Cutting for Stone.  Don't think I can capture the book in words here, but if you missed book club those of us who read it put together the story for the others.  If you haven't read it, read it.

The characters (especially the twins who started their lives as conjoined and the parents who raise them as their own), their loves, their losses, their wins, their stories will dig a hole right in the middle of your heart. Renee got annoyed when the rest of us talked about themes of the book, but it's about family, loyalty, trust, betrayal, and love.  It's a commitment at about 700 pages, but it's a book I didn't want to end...it's that good.

This month's book club will be at Houlihan's in Richfield.  We'll be discussing Unwind by Neil Shusterman.  Hope to see you there!

-abskujawski

Hot Hammies

A lot of you asked for this recipe at the December book club, so I thought I would post it here. Hope you enjoy!

Sandwiches:

• 2 doz small buns (dollar rolls--I usually find them at Cub)
• 1 lb deli ham slices
• 1 lb baby swiss cheese slices

Assemble sandwiches and place in a 9x13 pan lined with foil.

Sauce:

• 2 sticks butter
• 2 T poppy seeds
• 2 T yellow mustard
• 2 T Worcestershire sauce
• 4 T brown sugar

Bring to a boil and let cool.
Spoon cooled sauce on top of buns.
Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

Bake at 350 for 25 minutes covered and 5 minutes uncovered.

Nothing says "Happy Holidays" like...

... a Book Exchange!  and a Dystopian Adolescent Lit novel!  Thank you, Jenny Buckley, for hosting a really fun and festive December book club.  Your hospitality and your spread  was delightful (especially the sandwiches!).  For those of you who missed it- here are some highlights:

Critics and Book-clubbers agree- Delirium was a delicious read.  Boy, did it deliver!

I know, I know...such a cheesy way to start, but the "del-" jokes were constant at December's book club.  But so was the chatter.  The book is a Hunger Games-esque, dystopian, romantic, coming-of-age adolescent novel, and it seemed to satisfy most everyone.  Most of us read it, and most of us liked it.  

The book's themes (conformity, independence & love) , and characters (Lena & Alex) and plot (surprising twists and believable roller-coaster moments) gave us plenty to discuss.  Even though the setting takes place in the future or near-future and in an unrecognizable not-so-democratic United States, the book is so believable and so good.  It captures the adolescent experiences of being betrayed by friends, falling in love, dealing with miserable grown-ups, and learning tough lessons and which risks to take. We've all been there, so it was such a fun book to share with each other.  

We also had our book exchange.  Books of various sizes, topics, and genres were wrapped up.  We drew numbers and took our turns.  Each of us took home a different book than we brought, and we will discuss these books at Jodi's house on Jan. 12.  Hope to see you then!

Happy New Year, everyone!

amy


p.s.  The February book club book is Cutting for Stone.  Some of us might need a head start to finish that one in time!  Just thinking ahead...

Relentless by Dean Koontz

Our November book club was WAY down south of the river at Michelle's house in Rosemount. She had an unbelievable spread and plenty of wine. Jodi, Andi, Amy Horton, Amy Stenson, and Jenny all made it for snacks and discussion.






The book discussed was Dean Koontz's Relentless. While it was a page turned, and a times creepy enough that Amy S. couldn't even finish it, we all agreed the ending was a cheap way to end the conflict. Salt-shakers that aren't salt shakers, a tele-porting dog, the Maserati monster, and Zazu all left us shaking our heads and wondering what happened to storyline that had us so scared in the middle of the book.


Next month we're back down in Rosemount at Jenny's house. We'll be discussing the book Delirium by Lauren Oliver (book trailer below) and participating in our first ever holiday book exchange. Bring a book, new or used, and wrap it up for the exchange. We'll read the books and discuss them at our January book club at Jodi's house.





Happy Thanksgiving!

Silencing Sam by Julie Kramer (October 2011)

Beth hosted.  Amy Horton, Erin, Renee, Shelley, and me (Amy K) showed up to discuss one of the worst books in our book club's short history. There were some redeeming qualities (those of us from Rochester loved the Saudi Arabia/Mayo Clinic references, and I really wanted Erin to read about the midwestern farmer families) but neither the plot nor the characters were very believable. While we enjoyed the company and conversation, if you weren't there, you didn't miss much.  Thank you, Beth, for your hospitality.  We made the most of it.

See you in November!  Relentless by Dean Koontz.  We'll meet at Michelle's house (our newest member!) on Nov. 10.

-amy