Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal, Christopher Moore

Average Rating: 8.2
Menu: Apps at Tina's: Spinach Artichoke Dip, Caprese Salad. BUCA!  Apple Gorgonzola Salad, Spicy Chicken Rigatoni, Penne San Remo, Colassal Brownie Sundae.

Jennifer - Got to page 12.  Kept falling asleep while reading.
Fun Fact: Jen is taking dance lessons and practices for 10 minutes every other night (with boyfriend John).  Dance lessons courtesy of Groupon.

Rebecca - 8.5 - was very skeptical of this book, but enjoyed it from the start through India portion.  Found it original, funny and liked the tie backs to modern day.  Thought the India portion was glossed over and then story got slow.  Wished she knew more about the New Testament.  It was innovative, laughed out loud.  Enjoyed the present day to past tie backs, for example, the reason why Jews eat Chinese food on Xmas.  Recommended the book to others.  It was easy to pick up and put down.
Fun Fact: Both Rebecca and Trevor have moved work offices.  Zoey is rolling over and sleeping better.  They are starting their attic project!

Anne - 8.5 - enjoyed the book, thought it was hilarious.  Liked the modern day references and innuendos.  Sped through the first 3/4 of the book, then it got slow, then picked up again at the end.  Romantic portions were an interesting aspect.  References to how modern day sayings came into being were interesting.
Fun Fact: Anne gave her first injection of Heparin to a real patient.

Angie - did not read.
Fun Fact - is planning to read the book on her trip to Paris in November!

Dana - did not read.
Fun Fact: Dana is aiming to be the first lady of Lake Elmo, pending Justin's election results for city council.

Tina - 8.0 - loved the humor and ties to modern life.  It was easy to read and most of the story moved quickly.  Loved all the parts in China, but thought India part was slow. 
Fun Fact: I've lost 5 lbs since mid-Sept counting calories!

Becky - 8.0 - I am ½ way done, but can’t put it down. It’s the first book since Hunger Games that I just want to read any chance I get. I love the history and tie to real lift during that time. I think the Biff character is great and really brings reality to what the Bible says. That being said, I just finished the part with the monster…which took a complete Harry Potter turn on me. I feel like it sort of jumped the shark a bit, but still can’t put it down. I am not sure how it ends (hah, I have a feeling I do), but would totally read another book by this author based on just over the first ½ of this one.

Sara - 8.0 - I thought it was great.  I thought it was a funny idea, well written, and kept me entertained which is just what I needed at 2a, 3a during night feeds.  It clearly could have been more provocative but that wasn't what he was going for.  I think he gave religion just what it needed a sense of humor.  I especially appreciated the epilogues comment that if this rocks your religious beliefs they really aren't stable anyway.  Fun book!

This Beautiful Life, Helen Schulman

Average Rating: 5.6
Menu: PF Chang's Extravaganza! 


Angie: 6 - Really only read about 60% of the book and skimmed the rest.  Was more sexual than expected.  Relavant topic, but not well written.


Rebecca: 6 - Interesting story but could have been executed better.  Didn't like writing style.  Tried too hard to write "golden sentences" but didn't work well.


Dana: 5.5 - Character development was inconsistent making it difficult to grasp characters' personalities except for the youngest daughter.  Important topic for parents, but seemed like student writing.


Anne: 5 - Character development was poor.  Felt ending was not tied up and had too many loose ends.  Difficult to relate to characters over long term with lots of tangents and inconsistency in characters' actions and decisions.  Important topic, but didn't feel there was a concise message or lesson.  Not well written.


Tina: 5 - Intrigued by topic but was not well executed at all.  Storyline and character development felt very choppy and inconsistent.  Perhaps this is realistic to how people would react to such a difficult situation, but it did not make for a good story.


Jennifer: 6.5 - The book started our slowly and did not grab my attention.  It seemed semi unrealistic how the Daisy parents were acting before the incident and completely out of her life.    It did show though how easy it is just to forward 1 e-mail or message on and how it can spread so quickly.  It is important to watch what you write down because it might be sent off anywhere. 


Becky: 5.5 - Unfortunately, I kept waiting for it to get interesting.  I wanted more from it.  I liked the overall message of the book, just felt it could have been told in about 200 less pages.  I think it was the authors intent, but I liked the characters less as the book went on.  Perhaps its one that I will think of later....which usually indicates a good book.

Sarah’s Key, Tatiana de Rosnay

Average Rating:

Menu:

The House at Riverton, Jane Morton

Average Rating: 8.5
Menu: Pasta with meat and veggie sauce, salad, garlic bread and dark chocolate brownies.

Becky: 6.5. Fun read, but kept waiting to find out what The Game revealed which ended up being more built up than it ended up being. Interested and could relate to the shell shock of coming back from war and the brain dealing with things by numbing itself. Secrets were very important in the book - they can be very self destructive if one has too many. Ended was sad, but good.

Dana: 9.0. Good story. Enjoyed reading about the bond between sisters and how Hannah gives up what she wants and shoots her lover to save Emmeline. Was intrigued by how Grace didn't reveal her story even when walking through the old house years later.

Anne: 8.0. On page 223. Interested by houw Alfred was coping with returning from war. Felt secrets and eavesdropping were prevalent parts of the story. Is interested to see how the love stories pan out.

Rachel: N/A. No time to read!

Angie: 835. Read it really fast to find out the endning. Hated the American banking family, especially the father's point of view on servants and women. Was reminded of the Irishwomen's Table. Felt that the flashbacks were unnecessary to the storytelling.

Jen: 9.0. Quick read. Enjoyed the story. Liked The Game and would have liked to have it to play when growing up. Wanted to know the story behind it and thought Grace should have told it.

Rebecca: 9.5. Loved the book. Thought it was a fun read, interesting and captivating with good storytelling. Did not feel rushed to get to the ending becuase the story was good and kept her involved. Had good relationship building. Felt Grace's late adult life story was unnecessary. Enjoyed reading about historical times and relationships between servants and the aristocrats. Was intrigued by houw 1 choice (marriage) so changed the courses of Hannah and Emmeline's lives despite their opinions on marraige when they were children.

Tina: 9.0. Was truly surprised by the ending, which is rare. Enjoyed the story, the character building and relationships between the characters. Felt like watching "The Notebook" while reading the book due to the similarities in presentation with flashbacks to a historical era and different way of life.

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, by John Berendt

Average Rating: 7.3
Menu:Loaded Baked Potatoes, yummy salad, cupcakes and ice cream

Rebecca: 8.0 Interesting storyline, kept captivated. Had a hard time sitting down to read and fell asleep easily. Liked that it was non-fiction. Good character development, but some were unnecessary.

Jennifer Erlich: 7.0 Didn't like Part I. Too many mini-stories and had to push through Part II. Enjoyed the last 100 pages--would have liked it better without the first part.

Becky: 7.0 Enjoyed the essence of Savannah, wanted to be there! Didn't remember anything about reading the book 10 years ago. Too many characters. Favorite character was Chablis, the Drag Queen with lots of spunk and personality. Enjoyed when she attended the Debutante Ball...

Dana: 8.0 Liked the character Minerva, the witchcraft specialist. Minerva had a great connection with the dead and it reminds us how close the dead are to us living folks~some people just have a more keen sense to their "existence" than others.

Anne: 7.5 On page 193--finally at the murder part. Character development was long--felt like it was slow-moving. Found Southern-living very interesting.

Rachel: 7.0 On page 95--having a hard time getting into the book, it seems jumpy.

Angie: 7.0 Struggled to get into the book, it felt like a bunch of short stories. Lots of unnecessary details.

Tina: 7.5 Thought the beginning was slow and had too much character development, but appreciated it alot more once realizing the story was based on true events and the lives of real people. Felt the murder was an anti-climactic point to build up to--

Going on in the world right now: Upcoming Presidential election (Obama v. McCain).
Going on with us right now: Tina finds out Boy or Girl soon!

Water for Elephants, by Sara Gruen

Average Rating: 8.3

Menu: Circus Themed Appetizers: Mini hot dogs, Animal Crackers, Cracker Jacks, Cotton Candy

Noteworthy: Erika's last book club, Angie joined book club

Erika: 9.5 - Loved this book...fast read. Wanted to know what happened. Liked characters, their relationships. Wanted to go to circus. Good story. Liked ending.

Dana: 9.5 - Also loved this book. Couldn't put it down. Was like Devil in the White City - similar era. Liked narration & photos. Recommended to others. Well written.

Rebecca: 9.0 - Fun book. Good character development. Entertaining. Liked background & circus. Was touched by old Jacob character. Depressing to hear from older person's perspective. Realized the effect of talking down. Glad to have kids at an older age so they can take care of me when I'm old.

Sara: 8.5 - Enjoyed the book. Has a thing for cute old men. Difficult to read about losing loved ones ability to take care of oneself. Liked story - love story, innocent. Wish we can all run off with the circus.

Rachel: 8.0 - Hates the circus/carnival, so was reluctant to read. Liked it once started. Reminded of The Notebook. Shocked by the ending. Impressionable book. Hated August.

Jenny: 7.5 - Was upset reading about animals. Liked anecdotes about real circus info - details about life. Wasn't that surprised by ending, but liked how the story wrapped up. Wondered if wife was Marlena. Didn't think it would have worked out.

Becky: 7.5 - Fun story about animals. Enjoyed love story. Cover was a good representation of circus. Sequins fun on surface, but behind the scenes not so glamorous - like war and military. Vivid memory of boxcar w/crippled man & dog. Connected with old man - how family always glossed over bad things and made everything to be good. Related to this while in Iraq. Wanted to hear about everything good and bad - feels real, like a part of life, reality.

Angie: 8.5 - Really liked it, but forgot about it between sittings. Liked development of Walter - started out mean, but ends up taking care of everyone. Shocked by "red lighting". Loved the ending- unexpected.

Tina: 8.5 - Fun story. Loved character development, connected with them. Really liked Rosie's character, liked historical aspect & facts of circus life. Thought the ending was convenient what happened to the elephant, monkey, and horses. Learned that I relate to old people as if they're stupid - which is not good.

Anne: 6.5 - comments to come.

The Glass Castle, by Jeanette Walls

Average Rating: 8.4

Erika: 8.0 - Like the author, detail in description. Was hard to read. Couldn't understand grandparents and parents - very dysfunctional. Couldn't stop reading. Wanted to know what happened to youngest sister. Author was interviewed and said sister was still estranged, having problems.

Rachel: 8.0 - Knew parents were dysfunctional but they redeemed themselves. When dad was drunk they were horrible, but great when sober. Mom was lazy. Found parents lives interesting - that they chose to live as they did. Amazed at authors success based on childhood.

Dana: 10.0 - Loved it. Started on Sat while in Arizona - liked being in the desert. Didn't like Virginia chapters as much. Felt author had regrets about Maureen, how she grew up. Jeannette didn't live up to her promise to always protect Maureen. Was sad when dad died. Didn't like mom - she was selfish. Would recommend.

Anne: 8.0 (pg. 152) - 1st book she didn't finish. Having trouble sympathizing with parents. They are always overly optimistic - delusional. Amazed that story is true - UHaul, molestation - sad for authors upbringing. Feels for the kids.

Sara: 8.5 - Liked seeing things through authors eyes - turning some things into games. Virginia time was interesting as Jeanette started to see things as reality. Shocked by moms land ownership. Mom was terrible - very selfish. Felt bad for dad as alcoholic.

Rebecca: 8.0 - Agree with others. Like the beginning more - had hope for family. Interesting how much more narration time spent on younger years vs older (1st 1/3 of book based on years 3-6ish). Though about it a lot, but not sure if I really liked the book - was disappointed at the beginning of each chapter. Thought father was a better person than mom. Was most disappointed by uncle molesting kids and parents not standing up for them.

Tina: 9.0 - Loved the book. Thought about it for months after reading it. Drew parallel between mom's treatment of kids and Jeannette's ultimate treatment of Maureen - she promises to take care of her, but ultimately didn't. Loved that the author wrote her story objectively, without self pity.

Marley and Me, by John Grogan

Average Rating: 7.2
Menu: Stingers
Noteworthy: Erin's last book club

Erin: 9.99 - All you ask for in a book, laughed, cried, good message about family.

Erika: 8.5 - Didn't want to put down. Cry, laugh, enjoyed reading it.

Dana: 6.5 - Animal lover but would have been a better short story. Not enough substance, wanted more.

Rebecca: 6.75 - Got emotionally involved, laughed, cried, but not really into story. Author was conceited. Family/Dog focus was conflicting.

Sara: 4.5 - Not in good mood when read. Didn't like author, talked about himself, not good writing. Could have been shorter. Like a slapstick comedy.

Anne: 6.5 - Easy to read. Liked emotional involvement. Liked idea of young family and Marley being a constant in their life. Events were not exciting, wanted more depth.

Rachel: 7.75 - Wants to get a dog, have been researching. Could have been deeper, but liked story.

Tina: 7.0 - Thought it was surfacy, not too deep. Easy to read, good stories. Laughed, cried but didn't think about thte book after reading.

Reading Lolita in Tehran, by Azar Nafisi

Average Rating: 3.2
Noteworthy: Molly's last book club

Tina: 2.0 - (pg. 26) BORING!

Molly: 4.0 - Expecting something to happen. 300 page short story.

Dana: 4.0 - (pg. 4) Wonderful secret language.

Rebecca: 3.0 - (pg. 19) Hard to get into. Felt repetitive.

Erin: 3.0 - (pg. 177) Author was "wannabe". Wanted to be a protester.

Erika: 3.0 - (pg. 30) Very slow. Had to reread pages.

Rachel: 4.5 (pg. 100) Style of writing boring. Had read Lolita. Enjoyed reading about western works.

Becky: 2.0 - (pg 128) Talked too much about books, didn't get to a point. Couldn't tell who was talking. Didn't know who characters were.

Anne: 4.0 - Was excited, but had hard time with authors style. Couldn't tell characters apart. Good idea for book, her story/memoir. Liked learning about being women, sexuality.

The Five People You Meet in Heaven, by Mitch Albom

Average Rating: 3.9

Molly: 3.6 - expected more, wasn't as good as Tuesdays w/Morrie
Becky: 4 - happier view of after-life than Tuesdays w/Morrie
Dana: 4 - also liked beginning, soothing after Q died
Rebecca: 4 - loved first 50 pages (through 1st person), captain section was too long
Anne: 3.75 - wanted to get through book
Tina: 4 - liked writing style