One Day, David Nicholls

Average Rating: 6.3
Menu: (Spiked) Hot Chocolate, Gorgonzola and spinach penne with chicken, Fundamiddles!

Jennifer: 4.0 - Read 1/2, tried book on tap, read synopsis, finally watched movie. It was boring. Things occurred without much meaning.

Tina: 6.0 - Took awhile to get into. Rooting for Emma; feel bad for her. Death out of left field right after getting good. Good story, somewhat memorable but not a great format.

Angie: 7.0 - Really liked it after getting into it. Reflective of life at the time. Disliked ending and had to re-read, very abrupt.

Rebecca: 7.0 - Read 1/2, skimmed rest. Hard to start but enjoyed once reading. Didn't understand parts. quick ending without much meaning. Could have been written much shorter.

Anne: 7.5 (via email)

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!

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.

The Handmaid's Tale, by Margaret Atwood

Average Rating: 8.4
Menu: Bok Choy Salad, Cashew Chicken Stir Fry w/Jasmine Rice. Dessert- Strawberry Shortcake

Anne: 6.0 - Not as good as the hype. Enjoyed learning about the culture and cultural differences.

Jenny: 8.0 - Really into it at first. Parts were really disturbing, seemed right on that it could happen, supposed to be better for women - thought that was interesting - bad trade off.

Jennifer: 8.5 - Seemed real but didn't understand how - found it frustrating.

Tina: 8.5 - Kept reading, disturbed, thought a lot about it. Author made it fictional enough but seemed it could happen. Liked the historical notes - provided answers and ending. Internal reflection on people regarding group think and acting like sheep.

Dana: 8.0 - Similar to another book a few years ago, very disturbing, thought about it a lot. Scary the change of power, trying to revert back to something, old men trying to reproduce.

Rachel: 9.5 - Like it more now vs. when read in high school. Interesting view and role of women (vs. other book like the Divinci Code). Disturbing that this could happen, good sci-fi - specific to women.

Angie: 8.0 - Into it in the beginning but tapered off. Overly descriptive (ie. room in the house). It was very 'piece y' and got impatient, but liked it in retro.

Rebecca: 8.0 - Intriguing. Initially would have given it a 9.5 but looking back it hasn't held my attention. Like how author put in tidbits making things second nature to the book, but it made you think. Wanted to know more about how things got that way. Historical notes could have had more info to answer all the Whys.

Becky: 9.0 - Believable and scary - men taking back all power. Intriguing and like how she appreciated all the simple things like clean air, TV - I could relate (all things are relative). Hid something in her dress to feel powerful, similar to Angry Housewives Eating Bonbons. Liked quote on pg 121 about "man's a strategy..."

The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Average Rating: 8.5
Noteworthy: Erin's last book club

Erin: 8.0 - (1/2 way through) Intrigued by Gatsby. Reminds me of Mr. Big in SITC. Covers up how Daisy has tortured him.

Rachel: 9.5 - (1/2 way through) All time faves from high school. New money/old money very interesting. Change encouraging - women valued for looks.

Dana: 8.0 - Read in high school. Soft spot because Justin tested her with Pet Boys song and book.

Sara: 9.0 - Favorite. Gets better every time. Intro and end (some don't have) very interesting. He wrote it to be "Great American Novel". Punctuation based on talk, not writing/grammar. Like how end portrays people as bad, choose easy way out.

Tina: 8.5 - (1/2 way through) Through "I" was Gatsby. Confused. Caught on and re-read. More interesting after getting into writing style.

Anne: 8.0 - Enjoyed. Liked dynamics between men and women, also 20s era. Kept thinking of Gatsby as a Hugh Heffner. Everyone went for the party - not him.

Rebecca: 8.5 - Good overall book. Wished I paid more attention in high school to understand all the symbolism, etc.

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.

Love in the Time of Cholera, by Garcia Marquez

Average Rating: 7.8

Sara hosted a wonderful book club last night- we chatted about "Love in the Time of Cholera" and watched Desperate Housewives.

Here are the ratings and comments:

Sara: 8.5- Good book but didn't like America. Thought Florentino and America's relationship was gross. It made it difficult to like Florentino.

Rebecca: 8 - (on chapter 5)Thought the book was well written but difficult to read. The names were confusing, but it was a good story and a pretty story to read- would recommend it.

Erika: 8.0 - Liked the first part when the story was about their courtship. The middle part was difficult to get through- wished there was more of a plot in the middle part- would recommend it.

Tina: 8.0 - (on chapter 1) The book would be best read if a person had a few long sessions of reading instead of short reading sessions. The book requires a commitment from the reader.

Anne: 7.5 - Loved the first 150 pages. Loved the story of the courtship, but found the middle part quite slow. Was annoyed that the whole letter thing started up again towards the end. Well written book.

Dana: 6.0 - Liked the beginning and the story about Dr. Urbino and his life. Did not like Florentino and his compulsions- slow book. Also thought it was strange that there were so many parts in the book that were about animals dying.

Erin: 7.0 - Beginning was great- but the book was a very intense book to read. Some of the important plot ideas were not covered like what did Florentino do to get to the top of his company? Florentino was very pathetic.

The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini

Average Rating: 8.3

Rachel: 8.5 - Liked how it tied together. Amazed by how it was/is in Afghanistan.

Molly: 9.0 - Too convenient at end, but liked it. Afghanistan now/then.

Erika: 8.5 - Appalled kite part. Happy/sad emotions.

Erin: 6.0 - Interesting (Afghanistan). Didn't like Amir, no courage. Liked end.

Tina: 9.0 - Liked how it came together at end. Fiction should be what you want it to be. Main character bothered her but grew up that way.

Rebecca: 8.0 - Beginning tough to get into (p. 20) but liked it. First half mini stories more tied together than last half.

Dana: 8.5 - Beginning slow but then got into it. Liked father. Changed throughout the book. Didn't like Soharb's attempted suicide.

Becky: 9.0 - Taxicab conversation foreshadowing. Are we doing the right thing in Afghanistan? Hated Amir, coward, kept tallies. "You never knew Afghanistan" (cab driver to Amir)

The Time Traveler's Wife, by Audrey Niffenegger

Average Rating: 8.3

Dana: 9 - Liked the characters, "too much sex" though; the bond was phenomenal between them
Dija: 9 - Very different from before, other books
Tina: 8.5 - Was very confused about the purpose of Gomez; very hard from Charisses's point of view
Erica: 7.5 - Took a long time to get interested; getting pregnant was intriguing point; knowing the ending = bias
Rebecca: 8 - Problems with knowing the ending; some events didn't make sense; some inconsistencies
Becky: 7.5 - (half-way through) thinking "What's the plot?" Then realized that time was the plot; Upset about issues...but was more about Clare - liked that
Molly: 8 - Thought it read quickly; some events/pages not necessary; Henry was favorite character;Liked the ending - old Clare
Anne: 8.5 - Like the book because of the love story; Put herself in Clare's position and couldn't imagine how she dealt with it

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

The Feast of Love, by Charles Baxter

Average Rating: 8.0

Molly: (did not finish)
Anne: 7.5 - liked how life experiences were intertwined and how chapters began (did not finish)
Becky: 7.5 - very real, liked varying perspectives on one story (did not finish)
Jess: 9 - liked writing style, how stories intertwined (did not finish)
Dana: 7 - liked every "relationship has one really good day" (did not finish)
Rebecca: 9 - loved writing style, how characters were built
Tina: 8 - great character development. Liked how as the book went on, it felt like you got to know the people. (did not finish)