November 2020 Host:  Jaci

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

Summary

This novel is about a curmudgeonly old man who very reluctantly get to know his “needy” neighbors and the people that refuse to obey the sign that restricts parking in the residential area of his small neighborhood in Sweden.  Ove lost his wife to cancer and wants nothing more than to kill himself in peace, but he keeps getting interrupted by his neighbors who all seem to need his help for something.  He belligerently finds himself periodically postponing his suicide due to his neighbors and a stray cat.  Ove has so many levels to him and he will annoy and irritate the reader but redeems himself in the end.   This book covers a lot of ground: marriage, love race, class, and gentrification.  This book will definitely make you laugh, and maybe cry, and you will feel new sympathy for the grumpy older folks who come into your life.

 

 

October 2020 Host:  Nancy

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

Summary

This story is based on the real-life experiences of Holocaust survivor Ludwig (Lale) Sokolov.  In 1942, Lale is rounded up with other Slovakian Jews and sent to Auschwitz.  Once there, he is given the job of inking numbers into the arms of frightened prisoners at an alarming rate.  One of these prisoners is a young woman named Gita, and in spite of their plight, they fall in love.  Lale’s position gives him privileges and time and again he risks his life to help his fellow prisoners.  They never stopped of dreaming of a ‘normal’ life together.  Some felt this book was poorly written and made Auschwitz seem almost tolerable.  This is one of those books that you either love or you hate.

Menu

Hummus and Toasted Pita Bread

Mediterranean Chicken, Spanokopita, Cucumber Salad

Mini Pastries

 

 

September 2020 Host:  Colleen

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Summary

This is the story of Ifemelu and Obinze who are young and in love in Nigeria. Ifemelu goes to college in America and succeeds academically, but is forced to grapple with what it means to be Black in America for the first time. Obinze is unable to join her due to 9/11, but they eventually reunite 15 years later.  The book alternates between their two lives and explores how the experience of being an immigrant from Africa to the United States is different from being an African American. The characters see themselves through the eyes of American culture, which they had long admired, but are surprised and confused by the disconnect between expectation and reality. This book was incredibly fascinating as it explores our culture through a foreigner’s eyes. 

 

August 2020 Host:  Jennie

Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

Summary

Maya and her brother are sent to live with their grandmother in a small Southern town.  They feel abandoned as well as prejudice from the local “poor white trash”. When Maya is eight years old, she moves back in with her mother in St. Louis and is frequently attacked by a much older man. She lives with the burden of this trauma for the rest of her life.  She eventually builds a life in San Francisco and through her strong spirit and her eventual love of books, including Shakespeare, she is allowed to be free rather than imprisoned. This is Maya Angelou’s first memoir. She does not censor anything and allows the reader to hear the most honest inner voice of a Black child as well as giving the reader an understanding of her struggles and hardships in life. This is a fascinating look into the author’s life and definitely a must read.

 

 

May 2020 Host:  Stephanie 

Reader's Choice (plus zoom meeting)

June 2020 Host:  Stephanie

Reader's Choice plus watch movie based on book (plus zoom meeting)

 

April 2020 Host:  Megan

Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

Summary

Persepolis is the story of Satrapi's unforgettable childhood and coming of age within a large and loving family in Tehran during the Islamic Revolution; of the contradictions between private life and public life in a country plagued by political upheaval; of her high school years in Vienna facing the trials of adolescence far from her family; of her homecoming--both sweet and terrible; and, finally, of her self-imposed exile from her beloved homeland. It is the chronicle of a girlhood and adolescence at once outrageous and familiar, a young life entwined with the history of her country yet filled with the universal trials and joys of growing up.
Edgy, searingly observant, and candid, often heartbreaking but threaded throughout with raw humor and hard-earned wisdom--Persepolis is a stunning work from one of the most highly regarded, singularly talented graphic artists at work today. This review is posted on Amazon.com and I borrowed it as I have not yet read the book and most of us were unable to get it in time for our book club zoom meeting.

 

 

February 2020 Host:  Stephanie

The Museum of Extraordinary Things by Alice Hoffman

Summary

The author tells the story of the textile factory fire that occurred in 1911 in New York in which over 140 young people, mostly women and girls were killed either by the fire, smoke inhalation, or jumping from the burning building. Her narrators are two people, one a lost soul who becomes a photographer who is greatly affected by the images he captures as a witness to the horrible blaze. The other is a young woman who is captured in a prison of her adoptive father's making in his museum that features oddities, human, plant or animal. The two meet through unusual circumstances and fall in love, which gives them each the impetus to escape the struggles of getting through life individually. They form a bond that carries them through some very difficult times. The author weaves the story masterfully from start to finish and keeps the reader riveted with her description of 1900's New York City.  We met at Rio Grande restaurant but I forgot to take a picture.  This is a picture of us at the same restaurant in 2016.

 

 

 

January 2020 Host:  Jaci

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

Summary

This story is told from the viewpoint of a psychotherapist (Theo) who is trying to help the main character Alicia, who is the silent patient.  Alicia is accused of shooting her husband in the face six years ago and hasn’t spoken since.  Theo attempts to break the silence of the convicted murderer who has been in a psychiatric unit for the last six years. Theo tries unsuccessfully to talk to Alicia, and then talks to her friends and family and even manages to get hold of her diary.  Lots of issues arise during his investigation and he is also dealing with a cheating wife, which causes him lots of extra stress.  This is Michaelides’ first novel and is a page turner with an ending which will surprise even the most ardent mystery lovers. 

Menu

Guacemole

Salad and Jalapeno Chedder Rolls

Cinnamon Rolls (yummy with red chili)

Green and Red Chili