Books and Meetings in 2023

  This list will be updated as members make their choices.

January 23 - Colette's choice State of Terror by Louise Penny & Hilary Rodham-Clinton, Marg hosts.

February 27 - Betty's choice The Giver  by Lois Lowry, Shirley hosts

March 27 - Michèle's choice Violeta by Isabel Allende , Carla hosts

April 24 - Marg's choice, The Thursday Murder Club  by Richard Osman, Michèle hosts

May 29 - Janet's choice Haven by Emma Donoghue, Linda hosts

June 26 - Beth's choice, The End of the Alphabet by C. S. Richardson, Colette hosts

September 25 - Carla's choice The Blue Castle by Lucy Maude Montgomery Michèle hosts 

October 23 - Linda's choice, Albatross by Terry Fallis, Betty hosts

November 27 - Shirley's choice, The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict, Beth hosts

The Lincoln Highway – October 24, 2022

Colette, Marg, Carla, Janet, Linda and Shirley were hosted by Betty for our October book club where we discussed Janet’s book choice The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles. Betty had a delicious assortment of cheeses and crackers to munch on with our wine. She also had chocolate covered almonds that make frequent appearances at our meetings and, as per our usual custom, were devoured. With a nod to the book’s character Sally who was known for her strawberry jam, dessert was fresh scones with strawberry jam and whipped cream. 

Janet went above and beyond in researching this book for us. It included a road trip following parts of the Lincoln Highway while listening to the audio book, a playlist including songs named for towns along the highway, and, of course, photo evidence of the plaque at the San Francisco end of the highway. 

The Lincoln Highway is Amor Towles’ third novel and the third one we have discussed in our group. Towles was an investment professional for over twenty years before publishing his first book, Rules of Civility, followed by A Gentleman in Moscow. Towles has a distinct writing style with unusual characters written with a touch of magic realism. This book was easy to read, a ‘good yarn’ as one member described it. 

The Lincoln Highway covers the lives of its characters over the course of ten days and the days are counted down very deliberately. In his Rules of Civility, the time period was exactly one year while A Gentleman in Moscow covered thirty years. This book is told in the voice of the various individuals, each with a distinct voice which was easily understood and which enhanced character development. There remained questions about some of the characters, Woolly in particular, as well as some disappointment in the main character, Emmett, however the book was unanimously enjoyed.

Some members expressed a bit of disappointment that the book did not follow the Lincoln Highway across the U.S. and was left for the reader to decide whether or not the trip would ever be completed. But then, the greatest part of a road trip – or life – is not the destination, it is all the stuff that happens along the way.

Thanks, Janet, for another enjoyable book choice.

A Killer in King's Cove - Iona Whishaw - September 26, 2022

It was so good to see everyone again and catch up everyone’s news after our summer hiatus. We met at Beth’s and she served us crackers with an assortment of cheeses, olives and, in a nod to the book’s setting, some BC salmon, finishing with a delicious apple crumble topped with ice cream. Betty, Carla, Jane, Colette, Marg, Shirley, Linda, and, of course, Beth, were in attendance.The book this month was A Killer in King’s Cove by Iona Whishaw chosen by Jane. Jane began the evening by giving us some background on the author. Iona was born in Kimberley, BC, but grew up in a number of different places, including a small community on Kootenay Lake, as well as Mexico and Central America, and the US because of her father’s geological work. She took a degree in history and education from Antioch College, and subsequent degrees in Creative Writing at UBC and pedagogy at Simon Fraser University. Her own writing output took a brief back seat during her teaching career, but she shared her passion for writing by nurturing a love of writing in her students in English, Creative Writing, and Spanish classes. During the course of her career as a Principal in Vancouver she was awarded the Woman of Distinction in Education by the YWCA in 2010 and a Canada’s Outstanding Principals award in 2012.

Iona has published short fiction, poetry, poetry translation, and one children’s book, Henry and the Cow Problem. A Killer in King’s Cove was her first adult novel, published in 2015. Her heroine, Lane Winslow, was inspired by Iona’s mother who, like her father before her, was a wartime spy. A Killer in King’s Cove is the first of nine in the Lane Winslow series of books.

The book is set in a very small, rural BC community at the end of World War II and, as such, the aftereffects of war on each of the main characters plays an important role. It was mentioned a number of times that the author’s power of description was such that it was easy to imagine the locale, the personalities of members of the small community of King’s Cove, even the wee stream where the body was found. The house that Lane Winslow moved into has a supposed ghost and as attic windows open erratically, that might even be conceivable. From the beginning, there is the hint of suspense.

Character development was very well done, some extremely likeable and others, not so much. Finding that this book is the first of a series meant that some of the most likeable characters will (we trust) make further appearances. Lane Winslow is a mid-twenties, ex-British spy with a history that is not fully explained but it does give us insight into her strength of character under the circumstances in which she finds herself enmeshed while still showing a bit of the naivety of youth.

While we are reminded that there are currently another eight books in this series to be read, we played a bit of ‘if you like this, then you might like…’. The Maggie Hope Mysteries by Susan Elia MacNeal was suggested as well as The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman. Thank you, Jane, for suggesting A Killer in King’s Cove and leading us on another path of literary discovery

Operation Angus - Terry Fallis - June 30, 2022

Present were Betty, Colette, Linda, Marg and Michèle.  We were a small group for this last meeting before September.   The book this month is Operation Angus by Terry Fallis recommended by Linda.  In honour of the main character Angus McLintock's native country Scotland, Michèle prepared smoked salmon served on homemade blinis, with a Scottish cheddar and a blue cheese quite popular in Scotland, and potato crisps made in Scotland.  We also had Scottish scones with strawberries and cream.  

Linda had contacted Terry Fallis and he generously agreed to participate in our meeting via FaceTime. He was very patient with us as we had some technical issues and his suggestions helped us get around them and still have a great conversation with him. 

Terry Fallis is, of course, a Canadian author and he has written 8 novels.  Operation Angus is the 3rd of a series beginning with The Best Laid Plans that we read in 2012 and The High Road published in 2010. All three novels relate the experiences of a mechanical engineering professor, Angus McLintock, originally from Scotland, who is elected to Parliament.  Mr. Fallis has won several awards including twice the Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour.  He has an excellent website that can be accessed by clicking here Terry Fallis .

In Operation Angus, our main character Angus McLintock is now a junior Minister in the Liberal government and finds himself along with his Chief of Staff Daniel Addison in the middle of a clandestine spy operation to assassinate the President of Russia on Canadian soil. 

 As with the other novels we read, we all enjoyed the story and found it to be funny and quite the page turner, i.e.what else will happen?  We did find that the suspense ended early in the story after the terrorist were apprehended.  The last third of the book tied up loose ends, i.e.who was "Fleming" and what happened to her when MI6 found out she had gone rogue when her superiors refused to believe her about the assassination plot against the Russian President?  How did our Canadian Prime Minister approach the British Prime Minister?  Were Angus and Daniel properly recognized for stopping the Chechen terrorists?  What was the connection between their friend Vivien, the former CSI agent and Fleming? 

We had a very enjoyable conversation with Terry Fallis.  We were able to ask questions about the plot and the characters.  What was most interesting was our conversation about his writing process and even more important his new novel that he is presently writing.  He was very generous with his time.  We are looking forward to his new novel.  Some of our members have read all of his books.  

Thank you Linda for your book choice and especially for contacting Terry Fallis.  Thanks to Terry Fallis for a very enjoyable conversation and his patience when we had technical issues with FaceTime .

Have a great summer everyone and we shall see you all, hopefully in person, in September.

Cassandra at the Wedding - Dorothy Baker - May 30th, 2022

Present were Carla, Colette, Janet, Linda, Marg, Michèle and Shirley.  We met at Shirley's home and she served wonderful asian inspired hors d'oeuvres, wine of course, coffee & tea and her famous Pots de crème citronée and you can find the recipe at the bottom of the  October 2012 post. 

Dorothy Baker was born in 1907 in Montana and the family then moved to California.  After completing her studies  French at UCLA she went to France and met the poet Howard Baker.  They were married in 1930 and moved to California.  She published her first novel. Young Man With a Horn in 1938. It was very successful and was made into a movie in 1950 with Kirk Douglas, Lauren Bacall and Doris Day.  She wrote 6 novels and some plays with her husband.  She died in 1968.  

Cassandra at te Wedding was her 5th novel published in 1962.  Cassandra and Judith are identical twins who have always lived together and done everything together u to 9 months prior when Judith, a pianist, goes off to Julliard to study music.   It becomes evident that Cassandra finds it very difficult living without her sister and even more when her sister meets a nice young man in New York and invites Cassandra to meet them at their father's ranch to celebrate their wedding.  The book is written mainly in the narrative, firstly as Cassandra drives from California to their father's ranch, in dialogue between Cassandra and Judith and then Judith's thoughts.  

This is definitely not a book that was well liked by the majority of our members. Most disliked Cassandra finding her self absorbed, neurotic and narcissistic.  Most were relieved when the narrative switched to Judith.  None of us were surprised that Cassandra's dress choice in white would be the identical to Judith's wedding dress.  Those who enjoyed the book thought the characters were well developed, that the relationship between Cassandra and Judith was well described.  The drama of Cassandra's sleeping pill incident was tense and profound.  There is a strong suggestion of lesbianism when Cassandra's therapist arrives and takes over Cassandra's care.  

Suffice to say that this book will not win the "best book read o 2022" from this Bookclub!  

American Dirt - Jeannine Cummins - April 25, 2022

Present were Beth, Betty, Carla, Colette, Linda, Marg, Michèle and Shirley.  We met at Colette's home and she provided us with an excellent variety of goodies, a lot Mexican,  taco torte, guacamole, both spicy and not, a nice variety of cheese and French chocolates.  Wine, coffee and tea was of course, also served.  

We discussed Marg's book choice, American Dirt by Jeannine Cummins.  This book was initially highly recommended by Oprah Winfrey.  It became very controversial when some Mexican-American authors criticized Ms. Cummins and the publication business of cultural appropriation, of creating Mexican stereotypes and using inaccurate Spanish phrases in the book.  The cover of the book with barbed wire was also severely criticized and has since been changed. Marg described the original cover with bluebirds that are free to fly anywhere including over borders and the barbed wire as cages that could limit. Both version appear above.

Jeannine Cummins is an American author.  She has published 4 books, 3 novels and a memoir.  She received a 7 figure advance for the book American Dirt.  

The novel is the story of a young middle class mother Lydia and her young son Luca who find themselves plunged into the terrifying life of migrants when her journalist husband and family are all assasinated.   They have no choice but to flee towards the American border.  

All our members enjoyed the book and found the story riveting and well worth reading.  Some found it exhausting but felt compelled to continue, to turn the page to read what situation Lydia and Luca would have to confront.  Ms. Cummins did an excellent job of describing the stress, the panic, the pressure to make instant decisions in difficult situations.  The characters are all well described, those they meet as they make their way to the border and those left behind.  

We had a discussion about the controversy the book caused in America and the publishing world.  Certainly we all agreed that limits cannot be placed on who writes about what story or subject.  However,  admittedly as a group of white middle class women, can we truly assess the impact such a book has on the Latinx authors community and the objectivity of the American publishing community?  

The Company We Keep by Frances Itani - March 28, 2022

 

Present were Beth,  Carla, Colette, Jane, Janet, Linda, Michèle and Shirley.  We met at Carla's home and she provided us with a lovely spread of cheeses, olives, nuts, roasted halloumi,  roasted asparagus rolls and of course wine.  After our discussion she served us a pavlova with lovely fruit and whipped cream.  

We discussed Beth's book choice The Company We Keep by Frances Itani.  This is the 4th novel by Ms. Itani that we have read.  We also read, Deafening, Tell and Requiem.  She is one of our favourite Canadian authors.  Ms. Itani was born in Belleville Ontario and now lives in Ottawa. She studied Nursing and practiced and taught Nursing in Canada and the United States. She has published 18 books, children's books, poetry and 8 novels.  

The Company We Keep is the story of 6 people who meet once a week to talk.  All are grieving and we learn of each person's particular life as Ms. Itani dedicates entire chapters to each person.  The characters are well developed, we get to know each one of them well.  There is no plot to this story it is about the lives of each person and their interactions on Tuesday nights, the friendships that develop and the bond that is created between all of them.  Each has run into a wall and cannot seem to move forward with their life. They find the support to move forward within the group.

All who were present liked and enjoyed the book.  Some felt it is the best of Ms. Itani's 4 books that we have read.  It is low-keyed but the characters are compelling and we found that we became attached to the characters. Most loved the humour in the story that came mainly from the parrot Ricco.  Gwen, who accepts a part-time job taking care of Ricco develops quite a relationship with the parrot.  

Some of our members lost close relatives and friends during the pandemic and this book hit close to home.  Since services were restricted during this time, it was difficult to grieve properly and the how some of the character dealt with their loss seemed to help.  It was definitely a story for the time we are going through.  Certainly our former member Jolene who unfortunately passed away in 2018, would have particularly enjoyed this book since it has a wonderfully happy ending. 

Thank you to Beth for this book selection.  

A Town Called Solace by Mary Lawson - February 28, 2022

 Present were Beth, Betty, Colette, Janet, Linda, Marg, Michèle and Shirley. We discussed Betty's book choice, A Town Called Solace by Mary Lawson.

Mary Lawson is a Canadian author living in Great Britain. This is her fourth novel, all having received rave reviews. It was on the long list for the 2021 Booker Prize. We read her first book Crow Lake in 2003 and The Other Side of the Bridge in 2009.  

The story takes place in a small, fictional Northern Ontario town called Solace and through 3 main characters tells a story of grief, remorse and love. Clara, a young girl of 8, waits by the window for her sister Rose who has run away from home. Elizabeth Orchard lives next door and is in hospital. She wills her house to Liam, a divorced man in his 30s who has left Toronto, his family and job.  

Clara is longing for her sister to come home. Her parents, wanting to protect her, won't talk to her and explain why Rose has left. She takes care of Elizabeth Orchard's cat while she is in hospital. Elizabeth is in hospital and knows she is probably dying and tries to make amends for past actions.  She wills her home to Liam and as the story progresses, we learn of the drama between Liam and Elizabeth.  

Almost all of our members enjoyed the book and appreciated Mary Lawson's writing and how well she develops the characters in her stories. Some of our members would have liked more description of the town and the surrounding Northern Ontario scene. It was, as a couple of our members said, a nice light read, in which you could easily find yourself engrossed in the story and the characters. Some felt it was a sad story but others felt it finished on a positive note with Clara being the link whose attitude allowed some optimism to emerge.  

Thank you Betty for a good choice.  It is always good to read again an author that we so much enjoyed.

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett - January 24th 2022