Divergent!

Consensus: Divergent is a quick, easy read. Rather than the original plan of reading it in 2 weeks, I think it took us all 2 days to finish! Very formulaic young adult on many levels (boy meets girl, boy flirts with girl, girl doesn't realize that boy is flirting, girl realizes she likes boy... and so on!), but the concept of five factions is new, unique, and gives you something to think about. Which faction would you choose? Or would you be divergent? I certainly recommend this book to anyone who likes dystopian societies, anyone who enjoyed The Hunger Games, or anyone looking for a quick & easy escape read. Divergent is slotted to become a trilogy with the second book coming out next year. Film rights have already been sold as well, so be on the lookout for Edward Cullen's replacement: Four. They better cast him better than they did Edward (-;

Next up: Sarah's Key. We've had multiple recommendations for this one, so I have pretty high expectations. Gerald & Lea will both be out of town next week, so there's no meeting for 2 weeks. We're planning to read the entire book by that time.

A little late, our next meeting will take place in a Dauntless location (that's a Divergent reference): Bw3's. 5pm, 2 weeks from now. Be dauntless! Be there!

Happy reading of Sarah's Key!

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3 new selections and a big day change!

Today was our first meeting in three long lonely lackluster weeks (OK, maybe it wasn't that bad!) We've all been so busy wrapping up our summers that we've neglected our book club. We met at Gourmet Cafe in Bridgeport and our normal group was joined by Becky & Sarah. We discussed "In the Garden of Beasts," which no one really liked (I shared Laura's perspective, which she emailed me after finishing the book. We all agreed with her that [what we read of] the book was long and boring, we were all surprised on some level (I think - I know I was) to see America's slow response to a genocide, and everyone thought the book was a collection of nympho tales from Martha's promiscuous lifestyle.) Anyways, no one really liked it, and 3 of us abandoned it altogether.

On to our new selections. Next up: read the first half of "Divergent" by Veronica Roth. It's slotted to become a trilogy, but so far only book 1 is out. Once we've finished that, we'll move on to "Sarah's Key," and then to "Robopocalypse". After that it's Gerald's choice since the first is young adult, the second sounds like chick lit and the third is (obviously) sci-fi... none of which are up his alley, but lucky for us, he's a team player!

The big change announcement is that we will be moving book club from Tuesday evenings to Wednesday evenings indefinitely. Some (positive!) life changes for one of our members have caused her to be unavailable throughout the week except for Wednesdays. Maybe this day will work out for some of you so you can join us!

Next week: Wednesday, 5pm, @Panera Bread. Read the first half of Divergent.
Happy Reading (:

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cancellations

Meeting cancelled last week & this week (8/9). We will reconvene next Tuesday August 16 at the Gourmet Cafe in Bridgeport. Meeting begins at 5pm.

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Next week!

Next week's meeting will be at the Gourmet Cafe in Bridgeport to discuss the first half of Beasts.  See ya there!

From Paris to Spain to Germany, oh my!

While we had a serious love-hate relationship with the characters in "The Paris Wife," (mostly hate if truth be told), we all agree that we loved the book. The descriptions of the people and places the Hemingways visit are vivid but not lengthy and drawn out, and Hadley's feelings are described in a poetical voice that transfers her motives to the reader with accuracy. (And that's important, since you spend half the book think-screaming at her "what the @#$! are you thinking!?") Overall, we had our complaints about the Hemingways' personalities and lifestyle choices, but were fascinated by it all the same. "The Paris Wife" is like reality TV or the tabloids: outrageous, extravagant, disgusting at times, yet you can't turn away or stop reading. Our next classic will be a Hemingway book, probably The Sun Also Rises (which Ernest writes during TPW). I'll keep you posted as to when we will begin (:

Moving on from Paris & Spain, our next selection is a nonfiction account of Hitler Germany. The author, Erik Larson, is touted for his ability to tell a narrative nonfiction novel (so hopefully I don't get bored and abandon it! lol). We'll be reading the first 1/3 of "In the Garden of Beasts" by Erik Larson for next Tuesday. Meeting to be held @Panera at 5 on Tuesday. Hope to see you there!
Happy Reading!

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The Paris Wife moves to Spain

Today's meeting at Provence Market was lovely & the food (especially the dessert!) was exceptional. Now that we're halfway through The Paris Wife (and loving it!), we find that Hadley & Ernest are vacationing in Spain... which made us crave some good Spanish food! Next week, we'll try the new Tres Leches cake at Las Trancas (: Meet us there at 5 on Tuesday to celebrate The Paris Wife! Hope to see you there!

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The Verdict is In

Timely title with a certain famous trial coming to an end yesterday... we also passed our final judgment on "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children". The last few chapters of the book set you up completely for the (yet unannounced) book 2. While it's certainly not deep intellectual reading, there is a wonderful adventure that takes place within the pages of MPHFPC, and we agreed unanimously that we would read the second book. If you loved Harry Potter, you're sure to like Miss Peregrine and her very peculiar children.

Next up: the first half of The Paris Wife. We will meet at Provence Market in Bridgeport at 5pm next Tuesday (thought we should eat someplace French for a book set in Paris!) Please join us!

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