Sept. 28, 2013 Meeting

Another great meeting last night, with delicious food. We're getting pretty good at this!!

And a big thanks to Hilarie for opening up her lovely home to this rowdy bunch (only one wine glass was broken!).

After we all got caught up on our various injuries (is there something in the air?!!), and made special announcements (Lonnie is moving to Medicaid and Lyn is engaged), we settled in to talk about the Orchardist and Hologram for the King.

Orchardist got a 4 from all but one who read it. We liked how the writing captured the temperment and mood of the time period, what life was like for people living in the frontier west, and how each character was emotionally stunted in their own way by their past experiences and how they conducted themselves as a result.

Hologram received a resounding 1 from all. Just nothing there to grab on to. We were more interested in the side characters (taxi driver and doctor) than the main character and plot of the story. Very disappointing from the guy who wrote "What is the What?"

Onward...we believe Lu is hosting the next meeting on Nov. 9. Hilarie will offer a selection of books.

Lonnie brought a nice table listing the books that have been put up for votes at the last two meetings. Each book selector can add to that list when it's their turn. Be sure to include the corresponding meeting date for each book (so we know which are old and which are new). If a selector wants to choose a book that's already on the list from previous selectors, just pull it up to the top with the new meeting date.

This will ensure we choose from the books the selector has put forth (the original point of this exercise). I believe we chose a book last night that Lonnie didn't offer, but had been voted on at the previous meeting.

When the selector has updated the list, hopefully she can send it to the group ahead of time so we can all take a look and come to the meeting with informed choices (or those who can't attend can send in their votes electronically). Those attending the meeting can print out as much of the list as they want (as it will grow over time), or just make their picks mentally and bring the titles to the meeting. We will vote on two books.

If this seems complicated to those who didn't attend last night's meeting, we can further explain next time we get together. Our next books are: The Round House by Louise Erdrich (Carol finally prevails!) Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher: Photos of Edward Curtis by Timothy Egan