Where We Read: The Help

... the Big Bay Town Park Campsite on Madeline Island, WI. If you can't tell by the pictures, this was a very cold camping trip! (I'm wearing exactly eight layers in the bottom picture.)

Who are we? The Bookettes. Where do we read? Everywhere.

I cannot wait to discuss The Help with you all in a few weeks!

PS to Meeting #8: Accidental Tourist

Not to be redundant, I loved your post, Stine! But I have to add this picture, even though it was taken from Solveig's phone. Solveig was at this meeting, even though she isn't pictured here.

Where we met: The beautiful community room at Hannah's parent's condo in NE Minneapolis

What we ate: baked brie with a fruity twist to start, followed by the traditional French Nicoise Salad with pistachio chicken (very fitting), followed by the most decadent crepes I've ever had.

What we drank: Wine and Organgina

What we read: The Accidental Tourist

What we discussed: Macon and his ability (or inability to change). What sort of tourist Macon was, and how we were either similar or different in various ways. I went into this not taking a whole lot out of the story, but enjoyed hearing what you ladies thought and learned from Macon. What else did we discuss? What about Jenna, Heidi and Sarah- did you enjoy the book? 

We certainly will miss you, Hannah! What a night- thanks for hosting such an amazing meeting! No one makes crepes like you. We wish you luck in all you do, and hope you will join us the next time you are back in MN.

ps Anyone else interested in seeing the movie? Can we set a date?

pps I was hoping to head to the Edina Grill on Friday for happy hour. If you are interested text me or send me an email or post a comment here. Happy hour includes $3 drinks and appetizers and is from 3-6. Solveig is working there on Friday night, so if we really work it we might get a really awesome waitress!

"The Accidental Tourist" recap summary

Thursday, October 7th marked our ninth meeting - to discuss our EIGHTH book, The Accidental Tourist! The lovely Hannah hosted the Bookettes in the grand and elegant - and so cozy! - community room of her building in Northeast Minneapolis. A spectacular setting it was! (Especially, as some of us were able to enjoy following the meeting, the view from the roof...wowza.)

To start off...the food. What an unspeakably delectable French feast (inspired, of course, by Anne Tyler's literary trip to Paris in TAT)! I am still dreaming of the French wine, baguettes with baked brie, Nicoise salad, and make-your-own crepes....yummmm! I can't think of anything more drool-worthy.

The evening was enhanced even further with yet another hearty, insightful discussion on the reading material. Quite naturally, perspectives varied on The Accidental Tourist as a whole. Topics ranged from character development (or the lack thereof), our own traveling styles, the concept of making real life decisions, motivations, and whether it is possible, as Muriel maintains, to "use somebody up." Discussion questions listed in the back of the book also sparked some healthy debate!

Thanks to Geena Davis (and some other Hollywood folk), The Accidental Tourist is also now a movie...initiating a new Bookettes proposal: movie nights (to be scheduled in-between discussion meetings)! While six weeks is often required in order to finish the proverbial selected book for each meeting, many of us simply long for a chance to spend some more fun time together! What better solution than joining up on a free night for a good flick and perhaps a drink and appetizer (or two)? I suggest we call it..."The Meetings In Between." ;)

Lastly, many many thanks go to the dear Hannah Berg for hosting a spectacular book club, and for being a valued member for just three short months! We will miss you tons, and of course wish you happy times in North Carolina. Thank you for devoting your time, wisdom, and insights to our group of lucky girls!

~Christine

Finalizing future dates and other such business

Hi Girls!

I forgot to write down our January meeting date that will be held at Colleen's. Can someone either remind me by replying to this post or by adding it to the calendar of events in the sidebar?

Also, remember we changed the date for November from Thursday to Saturday the 20th, at 10am @ Marit's. Did I get that right? We will be discussing The Help (which is amazing so far!)

Colleen, do you feel comfortable setting up a poll along the sidebar? I've never added a poll but I know some other bookettes have -- namely Marit. So maybe contact her if you want the "cliffnotes" : )

If you head over to the recipe blog (via the button link down on the sidebar) you'll notice a new theme! Anyone can feel free to change that. Blogger just updated their designs so I was having fun playing around. In order to accommodate some of the larger photos I adjusted the width of the blog body to as wide as it gets and the sidebar to a bit smaller (there's a simple control to do this when you change the theme). As I'm sure you noticed, our home blog also has a new theme. I thought of changing it to a stack of books (another border option) but wasn't sure I liked the colors ... but we might go back to that because it just screams Bookclub!

If anyone has any recipes to share on our blog you can either type up your own post, ask me (via a reply to this post) how that is done (maybe we can cook up a tutorial), OR .... you can email carolyn.pierson@gmail.com and I'll post them for you! If they are secret family recipes you aren't required to post them, but we had such a great time when everyone hosted, it would be fun to share as many recipes as we can.

Ok, enough nerdy news for now! I'm off to read The Help (or wish I was while I trudge forward on my homework...)

Carolyn

The Bookettes "Accidentally Tour" NE Minneapolis

Hi Ladies -

I just sent out an invite for our October book club get-together. Let me know if you didn't get the invite and I'll be sure to get the details to you asap! Sorry about the late notice!

Happy Reading!
Hannah

Meeting #7: Anthropology of an American Girl

Where we met: Sarah's adorable apartment overlooking the river

What we ate: amazing apps, including apples and goat cheese (or was it bre?) on french bread, carved out zucchini boats with veggies (and what else was in there?), and the tastiest crab cake ever!!! (Sarah, post the recipe!). I know I am forgetting a few items. Someone want to fill that in?

What we drank: I think they were mimosas! Classic : )

What we read: Anthropology of an American Girl (obviously)

What we discussed: How the book was more like looking at a painting than reading a novel.
That was my favorite take-away idea from the meeting. Anyone want to fill in what kept them thinking after the meeting was over? We talked for a pretty long time - perhaps the longest yet? Most of us didn't particularly enjoy the book, but after the meeting most of us agreed that had we discussed the book while reading it, perhaps we could've enjoyed it more.

Those of you who couldn't make it, want to fill us in on your particular thoughts? Hannah, I remember you mentioned you had an opinion on the word "anthropology". I am curious to know what that is! Of course everyone is busy so if you don't have time that's fine. Just thought I'd make it easy for people to participate here if they want to.

Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying The Accidental Tourist!

-Carolyn

Volunteers?

I have a group photo of some pretty cute bookettes last month at Sarah's... if anyone wants to do a quick write up of that meeting, I'll add the photo. Any takers? Just a little summary of the wonderful apps and drinks we enjoyed (can't wait for that crab cake recipe Sarah! My mom wants it too, by the way, haha), the amazing view overlooking the river with that golden sunset, and our longest conversation to date (perhaps?). Just thought it would be nice to get this pic up on the blog before we delve too far into our next book. If you decide you want to write up the summary just include the appropriate tag at the bottom (Meeting Journal I think it is). Or if you don't know how to post something on the blog and want to send me a few sentence I can add it to the blog for you!
- Carolyn