June Book Club

Hostess: Jennifer
Book:Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
Food:  Hand-size spinach pies, greek pasta salad, brie with thyme and rosemary from the garden and good crusty bread, a homemade strawberry cake 
Month: June
Wine of the Night: Espuela Del Gaucho Malbec

Jennifer lives the farthest from the rest of us - not far, but going there is always an event of getting together who is driving with whom in what car. This time, we all met at my house, divided into two cars, and left the city field trip style, bound for Jennifer's house.

I can imagine the sight we presented to Jennifer when we pulled up within seconds of each other, all piling out of the car like a book club circus. We filed into the house, plopped onto the couches, and immediately the wine became open and flowing. We checked out Jennifer's new bathroom remodel, which is gorgeous and such a soothing and comfy color. I loved it!

We chatted, there was a lot to catch up on! Mary's home invasion, Jennifer's new bathroom,  Ladies of London, Pretty Little Liars, Jill's trip to Cleveland, my Italian class, among other topics.

After we had eaten and chatted, we started talking about the book. This discussion was perhaps our most spirited! Everyone had strong opinions on this book and its characters. There was anger, frustration, bewilderment - how could any adult who knew that situation let it continue? Why didn't the mother leave? We talked about abusive relationships, in all its various horrific states.We talked about Eleanor, and Park, and Park's mom and dad. We talked about what those three words were on the postcard from Eleanor (which is obvious but we had fun coming up with alternatives). We disagreed on things, and emphatically stated our reasons why.

This was an excellent book. Two of us cried at the end. Your truly, included.

We hope there is a sequel. Will there be a sequel? Please tell us there is one coming.

I know there is a debate about adults reading young adult books. Personally, I feel that YA can teach adults valuable lessons too, and make us look inside and see how as adults we react to these situations, to the kids in these books. We think, what would we do? As an adult? How could we help. if we were to encounter these things in real life. I don't see anything wrong with it either, if they are purely for entertainment. A book is written to be enjoyed, to be loved, to enlighten, to challenge your opinions and create some new view points. I don't believe in age limits.

All in all, the night was filled with conversation, food, and friendship.

Next month is Kelly!

June Book Club

Hostess: Kelly
Book: Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase
Food: Veggie kabobs, couscous, cheese bread, homemade raspberry sorbet
Month: June
Wine of the Night: Sangria

This is a book I would never have picked up to read in a million years, based just on the cover alone. But that is the beauty of our book club, that we are gently forced to read out of our comfort zone. I have definitely read books I never would have due to book club, and I am glad that I have. Just the exposure to something different is refreshing.

Kelly had a wonderful array of summery foods and drink prepared for us when we arrived, one after another, to her beautiful home that is straight from House Beautiful. She has the perfect eye for putting together her home, decorated with antiques mostly from the 1930s, her favorite era. The sangria was particularly inviting, calling my name from its position on the counter.  Kelly's cat Olive also decided to join us, taking up her spot on the dining room table. The food was on the table in the nook in the kitchen, so no worries about the cat in the food. Although that is something all of us have to worry about, that when our backs are turned, the cats at all our houses will sample will our food too!

   

Like I had said above, this is not a book I would normally choose. However I really enjoyed it, as did everyone else. In this particular romance, the main female character/heroine Jessica is practical, logical, capable and independent. She is awesome. The hero, Dain, is so emotional and vulnerable and insecure. Its like  a role reversal from the average romance novel. Jessica often tells Dain he is a high strung Thoroughbred, and it is an apt description. We talked about what actors we think could play Dain and Jessica if it ever was a movie (something I love to do lol) and I think Amy Adams would be a good Jessica and Jason Momoa would be a perfect Dain. I love Amy Adams, I also think she would have been a perfect Amy in the movie version of Gone Girl.

So, Lord of Scoundrels is not your typical romance although the cover is horrid. I enjoyed it and thought it was the perfect book to read in June. 

July is Mary, and she is having us read The Host.