Fifty Shades of Grey, E. L. James

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Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, Amy Chua

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The Help, Kathryn Stockett

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An Irishwoman's Tale, Patti Lacy

Average Rating: 7.1
Menu: Baked Spaghetti, YUM!

Jennifer: 7.5 - Thrown off by ending and how religious it was--on a side note, she has been to Ireland and been to the cliff noted in the book.

Angie: 6.5 - Liked the progression, wanted to know more of Sally's story. Appreciated the closure at the end of the story.

Rebecca: 6 - Thought the story was too melodramatic--it distracted you from the story. Would have preferred it not been told from Mary's perspective.

Tina: 7 - Left feeling unsatisfied, thrown off by the preachiness. Thought it peculiar that Mary becomes more "Irish" towards the end.

Becky: 8 - Related to the book, liked the part when he called her Betsy. Liked the idea of "watching people work".

Dana: 7.5 - Thought Sally was a much more memorable character than Mary. Very timid character.

Anne: 7.5 - Enjoyed the book but became annoyed by Mary and her "longing" to know where she came from.

The Other Boleyn Girl, by Phillipa Gregory

Average Rating: 9.2
Menu: French Dip w/pickles and chips, Dessert of cookies and ice cream.

Angie: 9.0 - Read it really quickly. Intrigued by the whole book. Surprised homosexuality was talked about. Watched the movie but was upset about how Mary's loyalty to the queen was not portrayed.

Jennifer: 9.9 - Liked learning about history; and it was a quick read.

Tina: 9.0 - Loved the story, but found certain things dragged out. It was like reading a soap opera. Appalled by the family ambition. Interesting that the book starts and ends with an execution.

Dana: 10.0 (11) - Loved the book! Actually gave it an 11.0. Took notes in the back of the book. Intriguing and mesmerizing. Liked the family dynamics and rivalry between sisters. Called out the bond between mother and child. Surprised they let Mary go.

Rachel: 9.0 - Read first 100 and last 10 pages, plus watched the movie. Liked the language - it wasn't Old English. Interested in sister bond, how women were viewed, and that women were powerful, but it wasn't outwardly obvious.

Anne: 9.5 - Love it! Like a soap opera. Interested in the difference between the classes. Intrigued by the evilness of Anne - especially about the babies.

Rebecca: 8.75 - Total Juicy! Was looking for more meat - kept her interested! Found out ending before she finished. Did not like the movie.

Becky: 9.0 - Thought about the book a lot. Had dreams from those times. Liked the historical fiction! Scared at the end - though Mary was screwed. Sickened by the father and mother. Made her want a farm house and true love forever. Book taught the importance of keeping ambition in check.

Beyond Knowing, by Janis Amatuzio

Average Rating: 4.5
Noteworthy: Jenny joined book club

Tina: 3.0 - Did not love the book. Got really repetitive. Same story over and over. Too much about the author. Expected to be amazed, but wasn't.

Dana: 6.0 - Expected more like her first book. Told same story in first book. Was disappointed. Would recommend first book.

Rebecca: 3.5 - Did not like the book. Was very self-promoting. Writing was poor. Was left with no though.

Jenny: 3.0 - Did not love it. Wanted more of the forensic pathologist stuff.

Sara: 3.0 - (from Chicago) Did not like her voice. She needs to get a life. Talked too much about herself.

Anne: 6.0 - Thought it would be more profound.

Prep, by Curtis Sittenfeld

Average Rating: 6.2

Erika: 7.0 - Easy to read, liked to hear the stories of how she grew. Related to the things she went through.

Tina: 6.5 - Couldn't stop reading this book, but it annoyed the crap out of me! Insecruity consumed her - got very frustrated - parts made me laugh though. Ending was abrubt - ending wasn't satisfying.

Sara: 5.0 - Lee drove me nuts! I was angry how it ended. Her personality was frustrating. Didn't feel like Lee did not learn or grow - she wasn't open minded or caring.

Rebecca: 5.5 - I was addicted to the book, but Lee bugged me. She was completely self-loathing. She expected people to think the best of her even though she thought the worst of herself. She didn't try or care about things.

Dana: 6.5 - I thought Lee was very pathetic. She over analyzed everything.

Rachel: 7.0 - Being from a small private school, but not wealthy, I could relate a little bit. But Lee was way too passive aggressive. She was very hypocritical.

Anne: 8.0 - She was very immature. Her inner monologue made me laugh. She also always did the opposite of what she should have.

One Thousand White Woman, by Jim Fergus

Average Rating: 7.8
Menu: Thai Chicken Curry and Lemon Chicken. Yum!

Last night Anne hosted a lovely book club at her house. She had the house decorated for Christmas and served. In addition to rating the book, Anne asked each of us to state what the English-version of our Cheyenne name would be. Here are all of our comments on "1,000 White Women":

Rebecca: 6.0 - "Tidy One" Wasn't excited to start reading the book, liked the history, but thought the storyline was too fictional.

Sara: 7.0 - "Woman who Runs Alone" The book exceeded her expectations, would have liked more historical references.

Dana: 9.0 -"Pale Dog-Lover" Became very engrossed in the book, liked how May Dodd was a leader; disappointed that Captain Bourke turned out to be so cruel by killing Horse Boy.

Erin: 8.5 - "Woman with White Hair" Liked the history of the book and the bullet hole on the front and back cover.

Erika: 8.0 - "Woman who Trips Over her Own Feet" Enjoyed how the relationship with May Dodd and Little Foot developed and deepened; she also liked the format of the book--she paid attention to the dates and how much time passed between each entry.

Tina: 8.0 - "Little Sleepy One" Liked the format, thought the ending was unrealistic. Would have liked a more realistic ending.

Becky: 6.5 - "Warrior Woman" We concluded that the character Euphemia reminded us of Becky.

Anne: 8.5 - "Shy One" Loved the story-enjoyed how the real names of the women matched their personality. Found the book to be an easy read.

My Sister's Keeper, by Jodi Piccoult

Average Rating: 9.2

Anne: 9 - family dynamics
Becky: 9.3 - one of the best books. What would you give up for someone else?
Tina: 9.5 - the sister bond - hard to read about kidney failure
Molly: 8.5 - didn't like the brother - good conversation starter
Rebecca: 9 - read the ending first - didn't like the way it was written
Dana: 10 - couldn't imagine not reading it - best book so far - watching the parenting style

Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons, by Lorna Landvik

Average Rating: 4.4
Menu: Bon bons

Dana: 5
Molly: 4
Becky: 4
Anne: 5
Tina: 4