December Book Club

Hostess: Chrissy
Book: Rant by Chuck Palahniuk
Food: Homemade vegetarian lasagna, fresh salad, cheese and crackers, Hershey and Toasted Almond pie
Month: December
Wine of the Night: Chariot Gypsy Wine

It seems somewhat appropriate that our December book club would take place during the middle of a blizzard. The snow started coming down and just didn't stop! Jennifer was prevented by the icy and snowy road conditions, and had to turn around and head back to her home, it was so bad out there. Most of us live closer, and were able to ford the snowbanks for the few block drive. 

Walking into Chrissy's house was warm, cozy, and inviting. The lasagna was perfectly gooey and hot, and we all settled in with our drinks and plates. We discussed our holidays, and what has been going on for the past few weeks while we stuffed our faces. Then we talked about this book.

This book was crazy!! Borderline disgusting in some parts, a bit of a mind bang in others. and then other parts were really good - it was very mixed up and I am not sure how I feel about it! This was the consensus from most of us, actually. The sex tornado of personal hygiene products, the nose picking, the purposeful rabies - all of this seemed to fit together, and formed a cohesive story. But then enter the party crashing, rape, and time travel - this was the mind bang. I didn't know what was going on most of the time, and to be honest, some parts I still don't get! Regardless, this book caused some sort of reaction in all of us, whether it was confusion, disgust, or a love of the book. No one could say that this book was just meh. It made you feel something no matter what that feeling was.

Besides discussing the book, December book club is also our gift exchange! Some gifts were homemade, others were purchased, but all were exchanged in the spirit of giving. I unfortunately do not have photos of everything, but here are the gifts I do have pictures of. 

From Mary: Bracelets with individual charms. I had a hedgehog, Chrissy received a squirrel, Jennifer a swirly symbol, Kelly a cameo, Jill a tea pot, and Alyssa fleur de lis. 

From Kelly: Literary candles. These too were different. Everyone received either an Austen or Bronte candle. 

From Chrissy: We each received a copy of The Great Gatsby and some homemade chocolate with nuts. That is not pictured because I ate all of mine.

From Jill: Chocolate Coconut Cookie Mix. Cookies are definitely getting made this weekend. 

Not pictured: The homemade tea sugar scrub I made, the homemade soap from Jennifer, and the hammered silver bracelets that say Read More from Alyssa. It was a wonderful evening, and I was so thankful for the book club ladies I meet with every month!

January is Kelly's month.