The Shack May 17th 2010

The Shack by William P. Young

Chosen by: Michelle

Location: Rudy's Redeye Grill in Lakeville

When I started reading this story, I was terrified, and my heart was pounding as it described how a young girl was taken from her family's campsite and murdered in the woods, at a "shack" by a serial killer. It is a parent's worst nightmare. I wanted to put it down, but like a bad traffic accident, you just have to keep looking. The story's focus is on the father, and his struggle with the death, grieving, his marriage, the relationship with his other kids, and with God. It is a God meets Man book and I just couldn't get on board with. Although gripping at first, it became preachy, dreamy, uncomfortable. I'm all about imagery and metaphor, and I do think he painted a beautiful picture of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, but I started to feel like the book was telling me how I should think and I sensed my defenses rising up as I was reading. The author tries to answer the question, "where is God in times of unspeakable pain", and I often wonder that myself, especially working at a Children's hospital, but I just wasn't a fan of the way he went about it. The reviews are very positive for this novel, but some of us Open Tablers didn't care for it a whole lot.

Jessica and Christina are BOTH pregnant and due this fall, October! They are both feeling well and look fabulous....glowing as they say. It was a good night, as usual. I don't remember there being other new news. Twin Cities Hospital Union talks are hot hot hot. We may strike. We vote in 2 days on a one day strike. That affects Carolyn, Kelli, Kerry and I. What do you do? Frustrating.

Gilgamesh - March 13th 2010

Gilgamesh by Joan London

Chosen by: Christina

Location: La Grolla in St. Paul

The Epic of Gilgamesh is an ancient poem from Mesopotamia (present day Iraq) and is among the earliest known works of literature. Scholars believe that it originated as a series of Sumerian legends and poems about the hero-king Gilgamesh, which were fashioned into a longer Akkadian epic much later. - Taken from Wikapedia

This was a tale of a woman and her sister, growing up in rural Australia, virtually isolated from the world, aside from the resort up the hill. One day a relative, Leopold, and his friend, Aram, show up to see their mother and spend some time in Australia after an archeological dig in Iran. They tell the girls their stories of adventure and talk often about Gilgamesh, which is a novel about two buddies, Gilgamesh and Ekidu. Edith falls for Aram, becomes pregnant, and Frances retreats in fear from their world. Edith goes on a search, with her son, to find her true love, or something. It seems everyone in the book is searching for something. It was a well written story, but only a couple of us finished it.

We had a nice Italian dinner at LaGrolla. I think everyone made it too, which is always so nice. Whenever we are together, I always wish we could do it more often, but feel fortunate that we do it at all. It forces us busy women to make time for ourselves and our friends. Yeah us.

Remember Me? - January 25th 2010

Remember Me? by Sophia Kinsella

Chosen by: Ryan

Location: Crave at the Galleria in Edina

Well, we are having another blizzard on bookclub night. I think the snow gods may have it out for us. Carolyn and Michelle were unable to make it tonight but the rest of us were there, including Kerry's sister Kate. This makes it Kate's second meeting...she is staying in MN for awhile helping Kerry out as she is currently an unemployed grad student and has the opportunity to hang with her nieces for a few months.

This was a fun night, lots of laughs and conversations really flowed. I didn't want to leave my girls ;o)

Most of us read the book and it was a quick beach type read, which helps us busy moms who don't have time to read the cereal box sitting in front of us some days, much less a novel. It is about Lexi, a girl who gets amnesia after a car accident and can't recall a moment of her last 3 years. In the hospital, she meets her eccentric and flighty mother, her sneaky smart alec little sister, and her greek-god looking husband (she can't remember even having a boyfriend). It is funny to think about this happening to you as you read this, if you missed 3 years. She goes on to be initially impressed with her fantasy type real life, but as she discovers more about her current life, she does not like the person she has become nor the people that she calls her friends. She misses her old friends that she has estranged and she has become a success hungry shallow person who somewhere lost who she really is. There is a man, of course, who she is involved with, that tells her they were in love and she was going to leave the ho-hum cold husband that she is with. It takes him awhile to convince her that he, in fact, knows the real Lexi and that she does still exist and that they were happy. I like a story with a happy ending when all the loose ends tie up. We all enjoyed the read.

The Book Thief - December 2009 - the 7th Annual Limo Light Tour

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Chosen by: Kelli

Location: Chino Latino in Uptown Mpls

Can't believe it's already time for another limo tour!!! We met at Chino Latino and all ordered small plates and shared. The food is so yummy there that you really can't go wrong. We all were able to make it this year which is thrilling!! The limo picked us up and away we went for another year of wine, giggles and crazy gawdy lights. Actually this year we toured some of the more classy neighborhoods. We jumped out for another picture on some random steps and when we got back to the restaurant, some of us just weren't quite ready to call it quits, so we went over to Calhoun Square and had some Bailey's and coffee and wound down the night.

This book was one of my favorites we have ever read from book club. At the time of the meeting, I had not finished it, only Christina and Kelli had, and they both really enjoyed it, but I did finish it over Christmas and I loved it! It was so unique and emotional and suspenseful, and I was sad when it was over. I kept thinking and thinking about it. Death narrates this WWII era story about a young girl, Leisel Meminger, and her tragic young life. She steals her first book, The Gravedigger's Handbook, at the cemetary where they leave the body of her younger brother, who died in front of her on a train. Her mother, sick, desperate and devastated, her husband already taken away by the communists, takes Leisel to live with a family in Molching, Germany. Her foster mother, Rosa, is harsh and shows her "tough love" while her foster father, Hans, is her rock. He is loving, and nurturing to this lost little girl, and he is "home" to her. Leisel wakes every night from nightmares about her brother and mother, and Hans gets up with her and sits through the night with her, teaching her to read from her stolen book. She goes on to steal a more books and they are her most prized possession. A big part of the story is Max, the Jewish young man that the family hides in their basement. I just can not even begin to imagine the terror, anger, pain, hunger and saddness that a person can take. The author does a great job at character development and brought me to tears several times as well as made my stomach physically nauseous. I love the way he portrayed Death as well. Death basically wasn't too bad of a guy and was just doing his job, which he felt really bad about most of the time. He talked about how busy he was during those years and he kept coming back to watch Leisel bec. she caught his attention when she stole the book from the cemetary. I loaned this book out to some friends, who loved it equally as much as I did, and I can't wait to get it back to read it again, if I can emotionally bring myself to do it. It takes a toll on a person. Good pick Kelli.

The Girls - October 26th 2009T

The Girls by Lori Lansens

Chosen by: Jessica

Location: Kona Grill in Eden Prairie

So, we haven't met in quite a while. There have been 2 babies born: Ryan had Quinn Caitlynn in May and Kerry had Stella Sarabeth in October. They are both very cute, healthy and happy and Stella came to her first meeting tonight and slept through most of it.

There has also been some great losses in bookclub since our last meeting.

Christina was expecting her second baby this fall, but there were complications beyond anyone's control, and Ezra Allen was born early in May and passed away a few hours later surrounded by his mommy and daddy's love. We can't begin to know what Jamie and Christina have been through this last year. Just know that our sisterhood is always here to listen and support you Christina, we love you.

Just recently, in September, Michelle's mom passed away from a long battle with lung cancer. Ryan and I were lucky enough to meet her on several occasions and she was an amazingly strong, funny and loving woman. Michelle, we love you too. You have been in our thoughts and we are always here.

I think most of us did read the book and liked it. It was a fictional story about twin girls, Ruby and Rose Darlen, who are conjoined at the head. Their birth mother abandoned them, so the nurse that delivered them, childless herself, takes them in and raises them, a blessing in their life. Aunt Lovey they call her. Lovey Darlen, what a name. Stash, her husband, is a Polish immigrant who has a great big heart and loves those girls. I think the author did a great job in developing these characters, because there were times I forgot that it was fiction. There is a situation in the book that a lot of us thought unnecessary and "cheapened" the story a bit. One of the girls get pregnant from an awkward and strange encounter with a local boy. They keep it a secret and give the baby up for adoption, but it haunts them always, esp. Rose, the one who was pregnant. As the book goes on, Rose and Ruby, being the oldest living twins conjoined at the head, decide to write their autobiography and that is how we learn about them individually. Quite clever.

We had a good discussion, good dinner and good company. I think this may be the first time in a LONG time that none of us are pregnant!!

The Last Days of the Romanovs - April 4th 2009

The Last Days of the Romonovs by Helen Rappaport

Chosen by: Carolyn

Location: Kerry's in West St. Paul

Tonight we met at Kerry's because Carolyn ended up having to work, and was unable to make it. Kerry was nice enough to offer her house up, even though she's leaving for California with the girls in the morning. News: Kerry is pregnant with baby #3 too!! She is due in October and has already found out that it is a girl! 3 girls for Kerry and Randy. Aww, what a fun little tutu house they will have.

Kerry had picked up Papa Murphy's Pizza and we brought some sides and wine. Nice and easy.

We had a long discussion on the joys and fears of pregnancy and parenthood. When you have children, you really put your entire being out there for whatever comes, good or bad, and all of our hearts will break wide open at one point or another, but there is nothing more rewarding and amazing than being a mommy.

As far as the book goes, none of us read it, not even Carolyn. I started it, and I think the subject matter is interesting, but I just couldn't stay awake to get very far. The book is a historical account of the last 2 weeks in the lives of the Romanov family up to their assassination by the Bolsheviks of the Russian Revolution. The reviews seemed to be mixed, but since none of us read it, there wasn't much to discuss.

Anne of Green Gables - February 9th 2009

Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery

Chosen by: Kerry

Location: The Wild Onion

We were going to meet at Kerry's house, but she ended up getting sick, so we switched to the Wild Onion. Kelli didn't make it either as her hubby Ryan has been sick too. I think the rest of us made it though, and most of us actually read the book....even Jessica ;o). News tonight, Christina is expecting baby number two!! Our group is just growing and growing! Our family get togethers are going to be quite the experience now. The more the merrier! Ryan is due in May and feeling good.

This novel is a coming of age classic tale of Anne Shirley, a charming, adorable, talkative and lovable, red-haired girl who is adopted by an elderly couple (brother and sister) who had applied for a boy. It is warm and funny and uplifting. There is a reason it is a classic and has been made into movies and a TV series. I look forward to sharing this story with my own girls in a few years.

The Witch's Trinity - December 8th 2008 - 6th Annual Holiday Limo Tour

The Witch's Trinity by Erika Mailman

Chosen by: Michelle

Location: Axel's Bonfire Grill - St. Paul

Well, there we were again on another snowy winter night ready for the city to dazzle us with it's fabulous lighting displays. There was a pretty serious snow storm going on that we had to battle through to make it here tonight. Surprisingly, we ALL made it! All eight of us! Kerry arrived late as she had to scramble to find a sitter, and ordered some food to go. She then asked the waiter if he could put her beer into a "to go cup" because our limo was here. The funny thing is that it made so much sense to her at the time ;o)

We didn't speak much about the book, except for the fact that none of us read it, not even Michelle who normally loves scary stories. It was pretty creepy. I made it a few chapters, but didn't want to have bad dreams, so I quit. It was set in medieval Germany in a town suffering from hunger and bad crops for 2 years and they blame it on witchcraft. It's frightening, the mob mentality that is still very real today, and it frightening just what humans will do to each other in desperate times.

Some more exciting news: Ryan is expecting baby #3!!! She is showing a little bit but is all belly and is adorable. We didn't really have any token drunks this night. We are all getting too old I guess. Getting up with kids with a wee bit of a hangover isn't all that fun. After touring around, we came back to Bonfire and ordered some after dinner drinks and talked for a bit longer. I think we could talk forever if time allowed. Merry Christmas!

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan - October 27th 2008

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See

Chosen by: Christina

Location: Christina's house in St. Paul

Tonight we ordered Chinese take out and Jamie went to pick it up! Great idea. It's our first time getting take out. Connor came with me for his second meeting. He just likes hanging with the ladies. We sat and chatted for awhile talking about our kids and funny things they say. I remember almost peeing my pants laughing so hard when Jessica told us that Cody that day had said "Aw, mom, how come you get an apple and I don't?" They were in the car, so when Jessica had a minute, she went to give him the apple and he waved his hand at her and said nonchalantly "Nah, that's ok, I had a booger." You just can't make up that stuff.

This historical fiction novel was set in 19th century rural China. It centers around two girls, Lily and Snow Flower, who are very good friends or "old sames", and their journey through the trials and rituals and rigid rules that women of their time and culture have to follow. The secret fan is a what they used to communicate with each other, kind of like mail. They used an ancient, secret code called nu shu and would write messages on the ridges of the fan and deliver this between their two houses. Her detailed descriptions of foot binding were horrific and nauseating, yet captivating. It is so hard to imagine that this was still going on in China, not too long ago. It is unfathomable to us, being 21st century American women, what pain, suffering and humiliation women of different cultures and different eras have been forced to endure. Again, we spoke about how fortunate we are to have been born at this time and in this country with all the freedom and choices we have. Being mothers ourselves now, we all tend to relate from the parents' perspective and a lot of these novels really show how little some people think of raising another human being. We are all on the same page with feeling that raising our children is the most important thing we will do in our lifetime. I know that in some of the situations we read about that it is a cultural thing, like foot binding. It is what their mothers did to them, and it's just how it is. But with others, I just wonder if they really love their children. Anyway, it was a compelling story that went through the lives of these two women and how their relationship, the good, the bad and the ugly, spans a lifetime.

We had fun discussing this book and most of us a least made it through some of the book. We talked about what all of our kids were going to be for Halloween, which is this week. It was another good night, and we all had leftovers to take home ;o) !!! Of note, I didn't finish the book until a few days later and it was while I was waiting to vote in the 2008 presidential election! Barack Obama is the new president of the United States! What an amazing time for our country, the first black president! He has his work cut out for him, but hopefully he can start to make some real changes in the next 4 years.

The Glass Castle - August 2008

The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls

Chosen by: Ryan

Location: Salut on Grand in St. Paul

Carolyn and Christina were unable to make it tonight but we did have 2 new members....Lauren Lakeman and Connor Shea! They were born just 3 days apart. Lauren on July 26 and Connor on July 29th! They are both adorable and healthy. Kelly is adjusting to the two child life really well. For us, Connor has been an easy baby and going from 2 to 3 hasn't been as difficult as going from 1 to 2 in my opinion. So far so good, but they are only a month old...;o)

Only Ryan and I finished the book this time, so we kind of told the story to the rest of the group. It is a memoir of a girl who grew up very poor to very eccentric, nomadic parents. The parents got me so angry with their carelessness and foolish behavior. They seemed to have no regard for their children whatsoever. The kids pretty much raised themselves and it broke my heart. The dad was an alcoholic and the mother mentally ill, yes, but come on. They showed no responsibility for those kids. Quite a depressing story. It amazes me how some children, who grow up in horrible situations, can come out as strong, smart, loving and productive members of society, when other kids, who have it all, turn out as monsters.

The food was really good, and a glass of wine tasted quite nice. Another fun night with the girls.

Mansfield Park - June 2008

Mansfield Park by Jane Austen

Chosen by: Kelly

Location: Kerry's house in West St. Paul

Since the weather has been so nice, Kerry offered to have the meeting at her place by the pool. It was a gorgeous summer night.

No one actually finished the book....oops. The few of us who did attempt it just couldn't do it. We are literary failures. I think I may have gotten the furthest, which was only a few chapters. Carolyn gave it a good shot too. If you are not used to or conditioned to reading 17th century literature, it is quite a difficult feat. All the names got confusing because they usually use last names and there were several "Miss Bertrams". It was hard to know which "Miss Bertram" they were talking about and the story got all jumbled. We are all moms of young kids, or pregnant too, so the last thing we want to do at night is make our brains hurt while reading for entertainment. Pre-kids, I could have finished it and I'm sure I would think it a masterpiece like the rest of the scholars, but it's not happening right now.

It was Rachel Pierce's first appearance and she is a cutey!! She looks a lot like Jamie. Christina is glowing as a new mom and it's great to see her so happy. She's a natural.

Kelly and I are due soon and are both tired of the heat and just plain tired. The next meeting will have 2 new members: a new BABY BOY Shea and a new baby ? Lakeman (they are not finding out the sex.) I will be a mommy of 3...let the craziness begin!

The meeting was fun and it went a bit late. Kelly and I stayed until about 11ish chatting about pregnancy and motherhood etc, keeping poor Kerry up who had just worked the past night.

The Power of One - March 10th 2008 - Italian Gourmet Night!!

The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay

Chosen by: Kelly

Location: Jessica's in Rogers

The book was amazing and one of the better books I have ever read. Those of us who read it, really enjoyed it too. I can't believe I had never read it before, I'm glad Kelly chose it. It was difficult to read at times as it is about a boy, Peekey, living in South Africa during WWII and under Apartheid. It begin when he is just 5 years old and is being sent off to boarding school among the Boers. He is ridiculed and tortured as he is the only English kid among Afrikaners who are on the Nazi side. One of the saddest parts is the loss of Grandpa Chook, his pet chicken. It breaks his heart. He story of surviving that school, the people he meets while away from the school, and his obsession with boxing make this a compelling, sad, and joyous book all at the same time.

Tonight was Italian Gourmet night! Kerry hired a chef to come and cook for us while teaching us a bit about Italian cooking. We made noodles from scratch which, although time consuming, is quite simple. Eggs, water and Semolina mixed and kneaded until smooth. Then you just roll and cut the dough with a paste maker. We had a lot of fun doing it and each got turns doing all the jobs. Antonio was the chef's name and he was great! Some of us bought his cook book that he writes for Betty Crocker. Impressive. For appetizers we had shrimp scampi w/ basil and prosciutto and bruschetta (we learned is pronounced "broosh ketta", saying it the way it looks means "little witch" in Italian;o) We also had spinach salad with a fresh herb dressing that Michelle helped make, fettuccini (which we made) with two sauces: a tomato olive sauce and a creamy veggie sauce, homemade buns and sea bass w/ tarragon mustard sauce. Dessert was berries over mango sherbet, or "mirtilli al sorbetto". We ate at Jessica's very fancy table setting (matching china, cloth napkins, crystal glasses and all) and stayed late discussing the book and catching up. Cody was there later showing us all of his Star Wars stuff, which is what he is into right now. His speech is getting so clear and he is growing up so fast. He's almost 5! My sister in law Julie also joined us tonight as we needed an extra person for the cooking party (Ryan was not here as she is in Mexico right now). Julie fits in anywhere and was fun to have there. It was a great night!

Christina is due at the end of the month and she told us that they plan on naming her Rachel. Sweet. Kelly and I are 19 and 20 weeks, respectively. Half way there! I, of course am already carrying a basketball under my clothes and Kelly just looks like she ate a big dinner. She's very cute pregnant.

The Thirteenth Tale - January 2008

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

Chosen by: Shelley

Location: Shelley's in Roseville

This meeting was also Christina's baby shower. I made black bean lasagne, and the rest of the girls brought sides. After we ate, we discussed the book.

I hadn't read a scary book in awhile, and although this wasn't a "scary slasher book", it was a kind of ghost story and got my pulse going a few times while reading in the dark, in the middle of the night. It is set in England as has a good old fashioned gothic, haunting, love story feel, much like Wuthering Heights, which I love. The two main characters are Vida, England's most famous writer, and a plain, young biographer, Margaret. Vida is reclusive and is nearing the end of her life, so she wants her life story to be told, on her terms. She chooses Margaret to write her biography. Margaret struggles with whether it is true or not. The story that unravels before her, past and present, is suspenseful and haunting. Those of us who read it seemed to enjoy it. A bit slow at times, it proves to keep the pages turning toward the ending.

After the discussion, we had Christina open her gifts and had cake. The cake was from Wuollet's and they did a great job of putting a cute little baby and a blanket on the top. You never go wrong when you go Wuollet's. She found out that she is having a baby girl! Yeah! She is also decorating the baby's room in classic children's books, as she has been collecting them for quite some time. We all loved that idea and gave a big "Awww". Nothing else really new. Kelly and I are still pregnant and feeling pretty good getting out of that first trimester. I recently got back from Hawaii for Molly, my sister in law's graduation from nursing school. I was a blast and I did try surfing, but when I fell off the board and it hit me in the side, I figured it was probably not a great idea being with child and all ;o)

5th Annual Limo Tour - December 13th 2007

No book picked this time, just a fun outing!

We met this evening at the Beauty Lounge on Grand Ave. - upstairs from Tavern on Grand. Kerry is a frequent flier of this boutique. Since it is only open a few times a month, Kerry asked it she would open just for us tonight. Wala!! We shopped for jewelry, scarves, hats and all walked out a little lighter in the wallet. Christina was unable to make it tonight and Angie has now moved to Wabasha to be with her boyfriend, Bucky. She is sad to not be able to be with us anymore, but a girl in love's gotta do what she's gotta do. She is planning to rent her house in St. Paul instead of sell it right now, just in case. She got a job in Winona. I wish her all the happiness in the world, but I'm really going to miss having my best friend close by. Everyone else was there tonight. After shopping, we headed down to Tavern on Grand for some drinks and apps before the limo tour.

New: Kelly and I are both pregnant! Kelly with #2 and me with #3, both due at the end of July. Very exciting. Christina, still doing well and still due at the end of March with #1.

On to the limo. It was a nice ride, stopping again for pictures at the Santa Lane in Inver Grove Heights.

After the limo, we tried to go for coffee, but Caribou was closed--so we went back to the Tavern and some of us stayed for another drink. Kerry and Ryan had the most "fun" that night, but the token drunk award goes to Ryan this year. She tried to stay overnight at Kerry's but couldn't go to sleep, feeling like she needed to be home. So Randy drove her home to Burnsville. Silly Ryan. It was a lot of fun, even sober ;o)

Midwives - November 2007

Midwives by Chris Bohjalian

Chosen by: Carolyn

Location: We met at Carolyn's newly built house in New Prague.

Since it was so far away, we carpooled. Ryan, Kerry, Christina and I piled into "Silver Thunder" the minivan and headed on down. There was another new addition with us in the van...Rory Johanna who was born in October. She just a few weeks old and has a full head of dark hair. Cute cute cute. Christina is now expecting her first baby in March!! How exciting for her and Jamie. We, of course, had no trouble bombarding poor Christina with all of our baby advice. Kelly, Michelle and Angie were unable to make it tonight.

The house is beautiful and the woodwork is gorgeous! They are pretty much in the country down there with just a few neighbors in the development. She still works at Abbott NW but took a casual position at St. Francis for the proximity to her new house.

This is a very interesting page turner, especially with our backgrounds in the healthcare field and our experiences delivering our own babies. There was a lot of lively discussion as this was a controversial story with ethical dilemmas. The story centers around a midwife, Sybil. There is a big snow storm, a mother in labor, and a decision what to do about the living fetus when the mother dies.... The controversy lies in whether the mother was dead when she took the baby via C-section or not. Sybil is charged with manslaughter and on the story goes....

The Education of LIttle Tree - September 2007

The Education of Little Tree by Forrest Carter

Chosen by: Angie

Location: The Muddy Pig - St. Paul

The Muddy Pig is a neighborhood joint and Matt and I love coming here. They have great food and an extensive beer list.

Angie didn't want to discuss the book, she said she just wanted to spend our time catching up and chatting. She is still in a relationship with Bucky, who has been in the woods for 40 days and is coming home soon. She recently got a letter from him that she was very excited about. It's great to see her happy and excited and dare i say...In love??

After we'd been there awhile, my brother Corey and his friend Eddie (I just love Eddie) showed up. Eddie is in from Colorado, leaving soon for Ecuador with his wife, to work in a clinic as their doctor. It was a fun surprise and since Corey knows all the girls, they sat down and hung out with us for a drink.

This book is a memior about an orphaned boy in Tennessee who is adopted by his Cherokee grandparents. It's a coming of age story about the boy learning the ways of his ancestors, learning to hunt and survive in the wilderness, and how to respect and be one with nature. It was an enjoyable read and gives insight to the culture of the Native Americans.

Of interest is that the author was a racist, segregationist member of the KKK. The book does not at all reflect a racist state of mind, and it is hard to believe someone with that crude of a past could write such a culturally sensitive book. Hmm. Maybe he broke with his evil ways and decided to become a sensitive writer, or maybe he was in it for money? Who knows? The author died in a bar fight in 1979 in Texas and died of his injuries before his past became public knowledge. So, we will never know the back story. But, a good book is a good book and I'm glad I read it.

Water for Elephants - June 2007

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

Chosen by: Kerry

Location: Dixie's on Grand in St. Paul

Everyone was able to make it tonight! Kerry also brought her sister, Kate, who is staying with them for the summer. We had two other book club debuts!! Ryan brought her new little member, Corbynn Elizabeth who has a crazy head of long blondish hair with red tips! Adorable! Carolyn also brought her new bundle, Tessa Ann who also has blond blond hair! Both babies are healthy and doing well and the mommies look great! I was a bit late because a tree fell on my house today. While I was feeding the kids dinner I heard a whoosh and the front windows were a blur of green. Whoops. Matt was cutting the tree away from the house and I left the girls with our neighbor lady and they all just sat and watched. We talked a lot about politics, Paris Hilton, global warming and whatever other current events there were. It was so fun!

This book was outstanding! I loved it from the first sentence to the last! It was a common theme, we all thought it was great. It is definitely at the top of my list and may be my favorite book club book thus far. It was something I normally wouldn't pick up, but so glad I did. It was centered around a traveling circus in the 1940's and about one man's experience with the performers, a lady love, and the animals....namely, an lovely elephant named Rosie. The book begins as this man is living out his days in a nursing home, lonely and depressed. The story is told through his flashbacks and the ending is one of my favorite endings ever, the other girls concur. I am normally hard on endings, because I except a lot and I rush through them, but with this one, I read slowly and deliberately. I didn't want it to end, but I was very happy with the outcome. Thanks Kerry for the great choice!!

Love Walked In - April 2007

Love Walked In by Maria de Los Santos

Chosen: Michelle

Location: Wildfire in Eden Prairie

This book was an easy read that most of us finished. A girl meets boy - boy has daughter - daughter hates dad - daughter loves girl - daughter abandoned by mom secondary to mom's mental illness...and so on. It was entertaining and would be good up on the big screen.

Ryan and Carolyn are about to have their babies #2 (both girls) anytime now!!! Exciting! Lots of estrogen coming into our little club. 4 boys and 6 girls so far ;o )

Kerry announced tonight that she is also expecting baby numero dos! Always someone pregnant to pass the PG torch onto. She's due in the fall.

Dinner was excellent and everyone made it tonight! We pitched in and got Target gift cards for Carolyn and Ryan. Good luck w/ labor girls! Next time we meet we will have two new ladies with us!

The Birth of Venus - February 2007

The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant

Chosen by: Christina

Location: Christina's house in St. Paul

It was a very snowy night and I brought Lucy with me. Norah was traveling down to Owatonna with Matt to go to his grandpa Joe's Sacrament of the Sick, as he is dying. It was so snowy that they had to turn around and come back. Matt felt real bad that they couldn't make it to see him.

Anyway, Lucy is 8 months old and fairly new to sitting, so she spent her time weeble wobbling on the ground while we chatted and ate. She's a pretty easy baby.

Christina made Italian style meatballs...yum!

This historical fiction novel is set in 15th century Florence. The city's history is mixed with a coming of age story about a 15 year old free-spirited girl. There is art, love, mystery, and the author really paints a picture of what life was like at that time. All of us have said time and again, that we love to read historical fiction; learning something while being entertained with a story. Good book choice.

It's About Your Husband - December 2006 - The Almost Annual Holiday Limo Tour

It's About Your Husband by Lauren Lipton

Chosen by: Ryan

Location: Saji Ya on Grand Ave. in St. Paul

We all had a nice dinner at Saji Ya. Although sushi isn't for everyone, we all got full on some kind of yummy food, whether it was fish or not.

This book is a romantic comedy type book set in NYC. A woman going through a divorce, moves there and starts spying on a friend's husband to see if he's a cheater. It reminded me a little of Bridget Jones's Diary because the main character always is getting into odd situations and is kind of quirky. It was a quick, hard to put down read. A great beach read.

So, we're getting near the time when the limo is supposed to pick us up when Ryan starts wondering why they have not called to say they are on their way. She went outside to wait for them....no limo. She called them and....the limo wasn't going to be coming. They lost her reservation!! Ugh! They tried to scrounge and find a limo for us...it didn't happen. On the bright side, we get a free limo ride next year. On the dark side, we were all dressed up with no place to go. Well, what next? We decided to walk down to Caribou Coffee and get some warm caffeine to drown our sorrows in. Little did we know, Kerry had a bottle of peppermint schnapps in her bag. Sneaky sneaky. Well, what else was there to do? We got our coffees, sat down in Caribou, and brown bagged it, taking nips of liquor and pouring it into our cups. It was a pretty funny sight. Nine grown women acting like underage drinkers sneaking booze in a brightly lit coffee shop. Hee Hee. We actually got chummy w/ the staff and closed the place up. I think they may have stayed open later than they are supposed to because of us. Then we tried to go into Dixie's for another drink. No luck, they were closing too. So, off we went for home. Although there was no gawdy lights and no token drunk bookclubber, it was still a good night with friends.