May 2019 Host:  Megan

Ubik by Philip K. Dick

Summary

This is truly a difficult novel to explain. While reading it, one oftentimes must backtrack to grasp what is happening, as there are many bizarre events and futuristic concepts. An example is amphetamine dispensing vending machines.  The year is set in 1992 and the main character is Joe Chip, a technician working for a business that employs psychics to block precog mind infiltration.  One of his newly hired coworkers is a woman named Pat Conley, who has the ability to go back in time and alter events. Characters can communicate with some of the dead who are in a ‘half-life’ state through cryonic suspension.  These characters, along with a group of others, go to the moon to visit associates.  When they return to earth, strange things begin to happen, such as fresh food becoming moldy and technology rapidly moving backward.  This is where Ubik comes in.  This story engages you from the beginning and although at times is difficult to understand, it is highly recommended and one of Time’s best 100 English language novels.

April 2019 Host:  Stephanie

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll

Summary

What can we say about this 150-plus year old tale that continues to appeal to both children and adults.  This strange tale of a young girl falling down a rabbit hole and the trials and tribulation she must face is beautifully illustrated and a fun read even as an adult…so if you haven’t read it do so and if you have read it, read it again, you will enjoy it even more as an adult. 

March 2019 Host:  Jaci

My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrick Backman

Summary

This story is told from the perspective of a precocious 7-year old girl named Elsa who frequently gets bullied in school and because of this, her best friend is her grandmother who is a retired physician.  Grandma is mischievous and lives life to the fullest.  She introduces Elsa to “the land of the almost awake” where they both escape reality.  When grandma dies of cancer, Elsa must follow her instructions and deliver a number of mysterious letters to different people who live in the same group of flats as her.  Elsa soon finds out more about the people who live around her and how grandma took them in under different circumstances, some from half-way around the world.  The author’s creativity and imagination are captivating and entertaining.  There is also plenty of humor in this story and the ending is very neatly tied up.  Highly recommend it even if you don’t like fairy tales. 

Menu

Barbecue Chicken

Condiments

Mashed Potatoes