Hey Lodge Book Lovers,
I'm home and well and looking forward to three weeks of uninterrupted reading. Actually all the lying around is already starting to get old.
I thought our last meeting went really well. Welcome to Bill, Margaret and Heather, always nice to have new opinions and voices.
If you haven't seen the letter from Susanna Kearsley, take a minute and scroll down to the last blog. So nice of her to write back.
Just wanted to remind everyone of our upcoming schedule. I may have things wrong, if so please let me know.
December 14th
- The Wife's Tale- Lori Lansens
- Ups and Downs- 6 pm. for dinner - 7 pm. for discussion
I'll make the reservations, please let me know if you will be coming. I think we are continuing on for a Christmas celebratory drink elsewhere afterwords.
Carol you're taking care of getting copies of Peyton Place? I can't remember.
Merry Christmas- Happy New Year
January 11th-
-Peyton Place- Grace Metallious
-Coffee Lodge Finch- 7 pm.
Movie Night at Carol's, details unknown.
February 8th
-For Whom the Bell Tolls- Ernest Hemingway
-John's Restaurant- 6 pm. for dinner, 7 pm. for discussion
Book suggestions for future discussions
-Count of Monte Christo, Dumas?
-Roots, Alex Haley
-Memoirs of a Geisha
That's all folks, see you on the 14th at Ups and Downs.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Email from Susanna Kearsley
Hi Susan,
Thanks so much for your email -- I'm really so honoured your club chose my book to discuss this month. Sorry it's taken me so long to answer you, but it's been a Very Hectic year and I'm still struggling to catch up to my emails...
I was actually born in Brantford, but now live east of Toronto. I don't do a lot of on-the-road travelling in the winter, while my kids are in school, but if I do make it out your way I'll try to remember to let you know (and failing that, will post it on the web site for sure). My book The Shadowy Horses is being reissued this spring, so there's a good chance that I'll end up puttering around a bit to promote it.
I see from your blog post that I'm too late to be of any real use to you for your book club's discussion, but if anyone has any questions about the book please let them know I'll be happy to answer them, either by email or on your blog, whichever's easiest.
In the meantime, thank you so much again for your choice of my book, and for taking the time to write and let me know. It's much appreciated.
With my very best,
Susanna
--- On Tue, 9/22/09, Susan Hall wrote:
From: Susan Hall
Subject: Interested book club ladies
To: susanna_kearsley@yahoo.ca
Received: Tuesday, September 22, 2009, 8:29 PM
Dear Ms. Kearsley,
I've been a fan since I read Mariana years ago and have enjoyed every book of yours since then.
We have a book discussion group at the coffee house I manage. We have been together for over three years and have read many wonderful books. I was delighted to learn that "Mariana" was being reprinted and have put it on our list for our November discussion. The bookstore who ordered the books for us also ordered another 10 for their other customers.
I read somewhere that you live near Brantford and I was wondering if you plan on doing any book signings or talks further west than the greater Toronto area? We are in Sarnia and would be very interested in a road trip if you have anything on the go a bit closer than TO......I'll keep checking the website in case you post something there.
Just wanted you to know that you have a fan in Sarnia and will have another 5 in November. How wonderful to have such an accomplished author right here in Southwestern Ontario!
Regards,
Susan Hall
Coffee Lodge Book Discussion Group
http://lodgebooklovers.blogspot.com/
www.coffeelodge.ca
Thanks so much for your email -- I'm really so honoured your club chose my book to discuss this month. Sorry it's taken me so long to answer you, but it's been a Very Hectic year and I'm still struggling to catch up to my emails...
I was actually born in Brantford, but now live east of Toronto. I don't do a lot of on-the-road travelling in the winter, while my kids are in school, but if I do make it out your way I'll try to remember to let you know (and failing that, will post it on the web site for sure). My book The Shadowy Horses is being reissued this spring, so there's a good chance that I'll end up puttering around a bit to promote it.
I see from your blog post that I'm too late to be of any real use to you for your book club's discussion, but if anyone has any questions about the book please let them know I'll be happy to answer them, either by email or on your blog, whichever's easiest.
In the meantime, thank you so much again for your choice of my book, and for taking the time to write and let me know. It's much appreciated.
With my very best,
Susanna
--- On Tue, 9/22/09, Susan Hall
From: Susan Hall
Subject: Interested book club ladies
To: susanna_kearsley@yahoo.ca
Received: Tuesday, September 22, 2009, 8:29 PM
Dear Ms. Kearsley,
I've been a fan since I read Mariana years ago and have enjoyed every book of yours since then.
We have a book discussion group at the coffee house I manage. We have been together for over three years and have read many wonderful books. I was delighted to learn that "Mariana" was being reprinted and have put it on our list for our November discussion. The bookstore who ordered the books for us also ordered another 10 for their other customers.
I read somewhere that you live near Brantford and I was wondering if you plan on doing any book signings or talks further west than the greater Toronto area? We are in Sarnia and would be very interested in a road trip if you have anything on the go a bit closer than TO......I'll keep checking the website in case you post something there.
Just wanted you to know that you have a fan in Sarnia and will have another 5 in November. How wonderful to have such an accomplished author right here in Southwestern Ontario!
Regards,
Susan Hall
Coffee Lodge Book Discussion Group
http://lodgebooklovers.blogspot.com/
www.coffeelodge.ca
Friday, November 6, 2009
'Mariana' in Petrolia
Just a quickie to remind you that we are meeting at the Petrolia Coffee Lodge this month. This Monday, the 9th. The Petrolia store is on the west side of town, new strip mall on the right hand side across from the hardware store.
Some of us are carpooling, meet us at Finch at 6.30 if you are interested.
See you then.
Some of us are carpooling, meet us at Finch at 6.30 if you are interested.
See you then.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Book's detractors miss the point
by Peter Epp, Sun Media
Harper Lee's classic 'To Kill A Mockingbird' is the not best book I've read, but sure ranks up there with my all -time favourites-John Steinbeck's 'The Grapes of Wrath', and Ken Follett's 'Pillars of the Earth'.
With that said, that trustees with the Toronto District School Board would consider banning Mockingbird because of Lee's use of the N word shows just how little we've learned since her novel was published almost 50 years ago.
For those who haven't had the pleasure of reading the novel, Mockingbird is the semi-fictional tale of a small town in the American South, circa 1936. One of the town's lawyers, Atticus Finch, is asked to defend a black man, Tom Robinson, against charges of raping a white woman.
Finch provides an extraordinary case, not only proving Robinson's innocence but also exposing the deep-seated bigotry that exists in the Amercan South. Yet Robinson is found guilty by an all -white jury. While being transported to prison, he escapes and is shot dead.
The novel became a literary sensation when first published and won a Pulitzer Prize, along with numerous prizes and honours. Mockingbird is thought to be one the best known and most widely read novels that deal with racism and intolerance. In 1999, it was voted Best Novel of the Century in a poll by Library Journal.
Most people would be moved to tears reading its pages. The fictional Finch is shown to hold the best of human qualities, particularly as a defender of justice and human rights. Harper's use of the language, filtered through the eyes of a six-year -old girl, exhibits the kind of raw ugliness of racism that children often recognize before adults do.
And yet Lee's use of that awful perjorative for the American South's most visible minority continues to offend. She uses the N word 48 times. And the word IS offensive, perhaps more so today than in 1960 when Mockingbird was published, and far more so than in 1936, when the fictional Atticus Finch is asked to defend a black man and is vilified for exposing a deep-seated injustice that haunts the South.
But to ban this book would also be an injustice...to literature, education, to the cause of racial tolerance.
What could the Toronto District School Board possibly gain by banning an Amercan classic that attemps to uphold the virtues of civil rights and universal brotherhood?
The school board earlier this month received a complaint from a parent about the Lee novel, and if the complaint proceeds under the board's policy for learning resource complaints, a review committe would issue a written report recommending whether the book is appropriate.
Let's hope that the controversy over Mockingbird will be enough to pique the natural interest of those Toronto students who might be denied access to this fine piec of modern literature through their schools.
After all, Lee's novel (she only wrote one) continues to sell well and can be found in most public libraries.
Harper Lee's classic 'To Kill A Mockingbird' is the not best book I've read, but sure ranks up there with my all -time favourites-John Steinbeck's 'The Grapes of Wrath', and Ken Follett's 'Pillars of the Earth'.
With that said, that trustees with the Toronto District School Board would consider banning Mockingbird because of Lee's use of the N word shows just how little we've learned since her novel was published almost 50 years ago.
For those who haven't had the pleasure of reading the novel, Mockingbird is the semi-fictional tale of a small town in the American South, circa 1936. One of the town's lawyers, Atticus Finch, is asked to defend a black man, Tom Robinson, against charges of raping a white woman.
Finch provides an extraordinary case, not only proving Robinson's innocence but also exposing the deep-seated bigotry that exists in the Amercan South. Yet Robinson is found guilty by an all -white jury. While being transported to prison, he escapes and is shot dead.
The novel became a literary sensation when first published and won a Pulitzer Prize, along with numerous prizes and honours. Mockingbird is thought to be one the best known and most widely read novels that deal with racism and intolerance. In 1999, it was voted Best Novel of the Century in a poll by Library Journal.
Most people would be moved to tears reading its pages. The fictional Finch is shown to hold the best of human qualities, particularly as a defender of justice and human rights. Harper's use of the language, filtered through the eyes of a six-year -old girl, exhibits the kind of raw ugliness of racism that children often recognize before adults do.
And yet Lee's use of that awful perjorative for the American South's most visible minority continues to offend. She uses the N word 48 times. And the word IS offensive, perhaps more so today than in 1960 when Mockingbird was published, and far more so than in 1936, when the fictional Atticus Finch is asked to defend a black man and is vilified for exposing a deep-seated injustice that haunts the South.
But to ban this book would also be an injustice...to literature, education, to the cause of racial tolerance.
What could the Toronto District School Board possibly gain by banning an Amercan classic that attemps to uphold the virtues of civil rights and universal brotherhood?
The school board earlier this month received a complaint from a parent about the Lee novel, and if the complaint proceeds under the board's policy for learning resource complaints, a review committe would issue a written report recommending whether the book is appropriate.
Let's hope that the controversy over Mockingbird will be enough to pique the natural interest of those Toronto students who might be denied access to this fine piec of modern literature through their schools.
After all, Lee's novel (she only wrote one) continues to sell well and can be found in most public libraries.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Book list
This is our whole book list, the best I can put together. There are a few boo boos in spring 2007, (missing a book) and Gullivers' Travels is misplaced I believe. Everything else is accurate.
For newer members, who are not interested in what happened 3 years ago, the book choices for this November, December, January and February are listed at the bottom.
Cheers
2006
September-'Pride and Prejudice'- Jane Austen
October-'The Picture of Dorian Grey'- Oscar Wilde
November-'Rebecca'-Daphne DuMaurier
December- 'Tom Jones'- Henry Fielding
2007
January- 'Gone with the Wind'-Margaret Mitchell
February- 'Turn of the Screw'- Henry James
March-'Scarlett Pimpernel'-Baroness Orczy
April-'Gulliver's Travels'-Jonathan Swift
May-
June- 'Jane Eyre'-Charlotte Bronte
July-'My Family and Other Animals'-Gerald Durrell
August-'Birds, Beasts and Relatives', 'Garden of the Gods'-Gerald Durrell
September- 'Emma'-Jane Austen
October-'The Moonstone'-Wilkie Collins
November-'The Rice Mother'-Rani Manicka
December-'A Christmas Carol'-Charles Dickens
2008
January-'Anne of Green Gables'-Lucy Maud Montgomery
February-'The Dwelling Place'-Catherine Cookson
March-'The Hunchback of Notre Dame'-Victor Hugo
April-'To Kill a Mockingbird'-Harper Lee
May-Reading Circle
June-'Watership Down'-Richard Adams
July-'Mamma Mia', the movie
August-'All Creatures Great and Small'-James Herriot
September-'Persuasion'-Jane Austen
October-'The Secret Life of Bees'-Sue Monk Kidd
November-'Clan of the Cave Bear'-Jean Auel
December-'Pillars of the Earth'-Ken Follett
2009
January-'Bootjack Mary, Ahead of her Time'-Bonnie Brantom Stevenson
February-'The Burning Shore'- Wilbur Smith
March- 'Les Miserables'- Victor Hugo
April-'My Sister's Keeper'- Jodi Picoult
May- 'Angels and Demons'- Dan Brown
June-'Water for Elephants'-Sarah Gruen
July- 'A Thousand Splendid Suns'- Khaled Hosseini
August- 'Tuesdays with Morrie'- (watched at the Imperial)-Mitch Albom
September- 'Sense and Sensibility'- Jane Austen
October- 'The Crucible'- Arthur Miller
November-'Mariana'-Susanna Kearsley
December-The Wife's Tale- Lori Lansens
2010
January-Peyton Place- Grace Metalious-
February- For Whom the Bell Tolls- Ernest Hemingway
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
At the Book Keeper
"Marianna" by Susanna Kearsley has arrived at The Book Keeper ahead of schedule! They have 6 copies put aside for us.
Nicole wonders if anyone would mind if we go back to Mondays instead of Tuesdays. She has another commitment for Tuesdays.
Watched a great movie at a great venue, Carol's basement. Thanks Carol. 'Sense and Sensibility' never sounded so good. .........Catherine was not lost, she was home from Hilton Head but in bed with a 'head'ache.
See you October 13th @ John's for 'The Crucible".
*
Nicole wonders if anyone would mind if we go back to Mondays instead of Tuesdays. She has another commitment for Tuesdays.
Watched a great movie at a great venue, Carol's basement. Thanks Carol. 'Sense and Sensibility' never sounded so good. .........Catherine was not lost, she was home from Hilton Head but in bed with a 'head'ache.
See you October 13th @ John's for 'The Crucible".
*
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Sense and Sensibility Movie night
*
Sunday, September the 20th is good with Carol for a movie. She says either matinee or evening is good with her.
I wonder if evening would be easier for Carol? How about showing up at 7, we'll bring some dessert, perhaps a bottle of wine, watch the movie and be gone by 10? If Donna and I are lucky we might be able to stay awake til then. What do you think Carol?
If anyone prefers a different time, please let me know. If you don't hear back from me, presume it's a date. We'll see you then.
*
Sunday, September the 20th is good with Carol for a movie. She says either matinee or evening is good with her.
I wonder if evening would be easier for Carol? How about showing up at 7, we'll bring some dessert, perhaps a bottle of wine, watch the movie and be gone by 10? If Donna and I are lucky we might be able to stay awake til then. What do you think Carol?
If anyone prefers a different time, please let me know. If you don't hear back from me, presume it's a date. We'll see you then.
*
Friday, August 28, 2009
Sense and Sensibility
I found this description of our upcoming book. I really like it.
"It is the story of two sisters, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood, who represent sense and sensibility, respectively. When both appear to be deserted by the young men they had intended to marry, the stage is set for a delicious comedy of manners that not only showcases Austen's perception, humour and incomparible prose but offers a splendid glimpse of upper and middle class English society of the early 19th century."
This is our 4th Jane Austen book and is the beginning of our 4th year. Time flies. One of these days we should compile a list of all the books we (book club) have read together.
See you Tuesday night at Coffee Lodge Finch, 7 pm.
*
Sunday, August 2, 2009
"Tuesdays with Morrie" at the Imperial
*
Here are the pictures from this afternoon. What a great bonus to have met the 'whole' cast at Ups and Downs. Getting additional insight into the characters from the people who played them was certainly the icing on the cake.
I'm going to try and sort this blog out so that you can all post here, not just me....Stay tuned.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
"Tuesdays with Morrie" with the Bookclub ladies on Sunday
*
*
Hello all,
Just a reminder to those who are going, that "Tuesdays with Morrie" is this Sunday at 2.00. Carol got our tickets (thanks Carol) and will meet us at the theatre. Please come a bit early so she won't wait a long time for us to show up.
Our July meeting went well at John's. "A Thousand Splendid Suns" was well worth the read, quite an eye opener for some of us.
I'll be calling Limbo to see if they are open Sunday afternoon so we can go there for a martini and perhaps supper. If they aren't open and if it is nice perhaps we can go somewhere where we can sit outside. Paddy's, Stokes Bay or even Ups n Down's. If anyone has any suggestions, don't hesitate to let us all know.......... I think the show will be done before 4, a bit early for beverages and supper. I'm sure we'll figure something out.
Donna has informed me that she is next in line for Catherine's copy of the book, which I will give her tomorrow. Could someone bring a copy to the show in case we want to look something up later? Thanks.
See you on Sunday.
*
*
Hello all,
Just a reminder to those who are going, that "Tuesdays with Morrie" is this Sunday at 2.00. Carol got our tickets (thanks Carol) and will meet us at the theatre. Please come a bit early so she won't wait a long time for us to show up.
Our July meeting went well at John's. "A Thousand Splendid Suns" was well worth the read, quite an eye opener for some of us.
I'll be calling Limbo to see if they are open Sunday afternoon so we can go there for a martini and perhaps supper. If they aren't open and if it is nice perhaps we can go somewhere where we can sit outside. Paddy's, Stokes Bay or even Ups n Down's. If anyone has any suggestions, don't hesitate to let us all know.......... I think the show will be done before 4, a bit early for beverages and supper. I'm sure we'll figure something out.
Donna has informed me that she is next in line for Catherine's copy of the book, which I will give her tomorrow. Could someone bring a copy to the show in case we want to look something up later? Thanks.
See you on Sunday.
*
Friday, June 5, 2009
Angels and Demons
Hello everyone,
Hope you are all enjoying the warm(er) weather, at least it isn't snowing. Drew was up in Algonquin Park last weekend with the St. Chris/ St. Pat's high school trip and they got snowed on. Was very cold.
So last month was 'Water for Elephants" which almost everyone enjoyed. Our numbers were somewhat down. I think there were the 'usuals' minus Carol who took off for Toronto for some reason. Nicole and Laurie were there as well. We may very well have a lot more people this month. Nicole is bringing a gentleman! Brave guy. Perhaps Laurie and Cherie as well. Jane from the Mall Road Library book discussion group plans on coming and I think Deb will be there as well.
I'm enjoying "Angels and Demons" again. I couldn't help but think of the practicalities. How on earth is he doing all this on no sleep and nothing to eat? He must be Superman, most of us would have 'run out of gas' long before Mr. Langdon did. .....I went to the Dan Brown website and found two most interesting challenges. There are clues and answers to the challenge hidden on the book jacket of 'The Da Vinci Code'. It is so interesting!
We are at Coffee Lodge Finch this month. June 9th @ 7pm. We are heading into smoothie season so this will be the test for the privacy/sound screens that Leo gave us. Hopefully they are up to the job.
Hope to see you on Tuesday.
Take care.
Hope you are all enjoying the warm(er) weather, at least it isn't snowing. Drew was up in Algonquin Park last weekend with the St. Chris/ St. Pat's high school trip and they got snowed on. Was very cold.
So last month was 'Water for Elephants" which almost everyone enjoyed. Our numbers were somewhat down. I think there were the 'usuals' minus Carol who took off for Toronto for some reason. Nicole and Laurie were there as well. We may very well have a lot more people this month. Nicole is bringing a gentleman! Brave guy. Perhaps Laurie and Cherie as well. Jane from the Mall Road Library book discussion group plans on coming and I think Deb will be there as well.
I'm enjoying "Angels and Demons" again. I couldn't help but think of the practicalities. How on earth is he doing all this on no sleep and nothing to eat? He must be Superman, most of us would have 'run out of gas' long before Mr. Langdon did. .....I went to the Dan Brown website and found two most interesting challenges. There are clues and answers to the challenge hidden on the book jacket of 'The Da Vinci Code'. It is so interesting!
We are at Coffee Lodge Finch this month. June 9th @ 7pm. We are heading into smoothie season so this will be the test for the privacy/sound screens that Leo gave us. Hopefully they are up to the job.
Hope to see you on Tuesday.
Take care.
Monday, May 11, 2009
"Water for Elephants"
*
Just a reminder that we are meeting at John's Restaurant tomorrow night, Tuesday. Dinner at 6pm., discussion at 7 pm. Hope to see you all there to discuss this wonderful book.
*
The discussion of "My Sister's Keeper" went very well last month. There was certainly lots to talk about. Welcome to Deb and Laurie, always nice to see new faces and listen to new ideas.
*
*
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
"My Sister's Keeper"
Happy April everyone.
Spring has sprung but no one seems to have informed Mother Nature. Hopefully by the time we meet next week it will be more seasonal.
Last month "Les Miserables" went over marginally better than did "The Hunchback of Notre Dame' last year. I think we have finished with Victor Hugo now.
I changed the list on the last post to show that we will be reading "Water for Elephants' by Sara Gruen in May instead of "Angels and Demons".
We will be meeting at Coffee Lodge Finch next week. Leo has a screen that will be sent over for us to use as a sound barrier. I think that this may be the solution to the noise problem, fingers crossed. ........"My Sister's Keeper" has generated a bit of a buzz in the store. A number of people have approached me asking about the book club, we'll see how many actually turn up. We will have a lot to talk about with this book.
Bring your ideas for our road trip. .....Meg and Nicole will be attending....... I have Nicole's number in my cell phone so we can track her this time. Last month she was stranded in Wyoming, looking for a lift into town.
See you soon.
Spring has sprung but no one seems to have informed Mother Nature. Hopefully by the time we meet next week it will be more seasonal.
Last month "Les Miserables" went over marginally better than did "The Hunchback of Notre Dame' last year. I think we have finished with Victor Hugo now.
I changed the list on the last post to show that we will be reading "Water for Elephants' by Sara Gruen in May instead of "Angels and Demons".
We will be meeting at Coffee Lodge Finch next week. Leo has a screen that will be sent over for us to use as a sound barrier. I think that this may be the solution to the noise problem, fingers crossed. ........"My Sister's Keeper" has generated a bit of a buzz in the store. A number of people have approached me asking about the book club, we'll see how many actually turn up. We will have a lot to talk about with this book.
Bring your ideas for our road trip. .....Meg and Nicole will be attending....... I have Nicole's number in my cell phone so we can track her this time. Last month she was stranded in Wyoming, looking for a lift into town.
See you soon.
-
-
-
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
See you on St. Patrick's Day
Hi all,
It looks as though we will be wearing green next book club night. We changed to Tuesday nights to avoid holidays, and we end up on St. Patricks Day. Catherine is off to the sunny surf in Hilton Head once again. .........Hope she has a wonderful time.
We will be meeting on March 17th, 7 pm. At Coffee Lodge EXMOUTH, thanks once again Donna. We will be reading "Les Miserables" by Victor Hugo. Don't forget your ideas for our road trip in late April.
Upcoming:
April 14th- My Sister's Keeper- Jodi Picoult- Coffee Lodge Finch -Susan Chamberlain has copies for us at the Book Keeper. Ask at the desk, she said she would put some aside for us.
May 12th- Water for Elephants- Sarah Gruen- Just finished this book, it was wonderful!
- John's Restaurant.
June 9th-Angels and Demons - Dan Brown - I believe this is coming out in the theatre in May. If we love it, perhaps we can get together to see the video when it comes out.
July 14th- A Thousand Splendid Suns
I will forward this list to Susan at the Book Keeper, we will be able to pick up these books there from here on.
I'm going to the book discussion at Mall Road Library this month, they are meeting on March 31st. They are reading "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri. If anyone else is interested, let me know, we can go together.
Cause for celebration, heard it was going up to ***plus*** 14 degrees by the weekend!!!!
See you all soon.
-
-
Friday, February 13, 2009
Family Day is disrupting our plans!
We'll be meeting at John's Restaurant on Tuesday the 17th instead of Monday the 16th to discuss 'The Burning Shore'. Monday is Family Day. All our normal venues will be closed.
See you then.
See you then.
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