A little piece of Gratitude - Take in the Moment

Hi Ladies

Some of you may have already received this from Cheryl.  If not, it is something she sent to on to me and I am so glad i took the time to stop and view.

If you have 10mins or so, i do encourage you to clink on and watch…

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=gXDMoiEkyuQ&vq=medium

Thanks Cheryl

The blog gets active

V, thanks for doing such a great job of pulling all of our wild and random thoughts together on our books and sharing them with the group.  Ruth, so pleased to hear about the position but not sure about the wine and reading.  At the moment a glass of wine sends me straight to sleep.  I have ordered the Paris Wife from the library and it is waiting for collection.  But will have to try and finish Angel's Game first.  My reading will take me from Barcelona to Paris all without the jet lag or the cost!  Have a great long weekend everyone.  Jen

A Few Reflections on May's Book

Thank you for recommending this book Bec...
While it didn't immediately capture all of our reading senses... As a story of family love, Will shares a beautiful honouring narrative about the enduring love he holds for his mother.

We all were left with an appreciation of a woman who lived her life with an intensity of conviction. As Bec put it, "What an amazing woman". And in my summary, for her time, "A fearless feminist - interested in making a difference - giving her children opportunities to help shape their identity".

As a family story though - we were invited into a discussion about our cultural differences between American and Australian middle class. What struck a cord was the apparent different ways of intimacy and level of involvement in each other's lives. The concept of privacy and how one measures a sense of engagement and closeness was interesting.

As i try to write the completeness of our reflections, FlowerShop book lovers I have to admit I can't bring myself to share all our thoughts and impressions about the personal layers of Will's story; It just doesn't seem quite right to comment on the Schwalbe family story given the story being a time immemorial remembrance of a life well lived . Our additional reflections will need to remain linked with the flavour of coffee beans and our spirited conversation.

The Paris Wife - Our June Book

Hadley Richardson-Hemingway met Ernest Hemingway in 1920.  It was a love affair of heart, he knew very early on she had stolen his heart, writing in his journal, "i knew she was the girl i was going to marry".  Let's read the book and see what happens next….

To read more detail about their life together try this link, http://www.thehemingwayproject.com/category/hadley

Next Bookclub Book

Hi All

Thanks for a great yarn on Sunday. I will post a summary yet before I do, I thought I would confirm the title of our next book. Dagmar and Cheryl I really think you will both like this one. Rachelle we have taken your lead and decided to read, The Paris Wife by Paula McLain.  Goodreads give it 4stars so it will be interesting to see what we all think.

A quick blurb, 

A deeply evocative story of ambition and betrayal, The Paris Wife captures a remarkable period of time and a love affair between two unforgettable people: Ernest Hemingway and his wife Hadley. (Ref Goodreads blog)

Date for next meeting 7th July 8am

Location - we think we have found our new haunt... The Crosstown Eating House.

Also just for noting, the July Book is, Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood. It is a big novel so if you finish The Paris Wife get a head start on this fabulous Faction Novel.
A short Blurb,

In Alias Grace, bestselling author Margaret Atwood has written her most captivating, disturbing, and ultimately satisfying work since The Handmaid's Tale. She takes us back in time and into the life of one of the most enigmatic and notorious women of the nineteenth century. (Ref Goodreads blog)

Aug bookclub 25th - put it in your diary now!!! 

Happy Reading...

Posted on Behalf of Bloggers: Jen and Rachelle

Hi Rachelle,

How lovely to hear from you.  As always I am flabbergasted with your ability to combine work, family and friends with any reading at all.

The Paris Wife -  perhaps I will suggest this as the next book for book club and you will already be one step ahead of us!!!

The End of your life book club was a really enjoyable read.  Even though it was sad it was a wonderful observation on life, family and enduring love.  At the same time it overwhelmed me that there are people out there, and real people at that, who are so very bright and such prolific readers.  I cannot imagine getting through the number of books they did.  Mind you one of the central characters suffers from insomnia so that probably helps.  Given I am a good 8-9 hour sleeper a night I don't think I am going to find any extra time soon.

All of the very best and it will be lovely when you are able to join us for a coffee and a chat.

Jen

On 29/05/2013, at 9:28 PM, Rachelle Garton wrote:

Hi Jen,

haven't been keeping up with book club (obviously) but have been intrigued by comments about this book...thinking I may have to read it.  I am currently running a book club with some of my students, so between that and work and kids my personal reading has been neglected.  In saying that, I have recently begun The Paris Wife - a story about Ernest Hemingway and his wife Hadley.  I kind of stumbled across it, started it...and am really enjoying it.

I hope you're all well.

Rachelle x

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Hi all,  I have completely lost track of when we are catching up again.  I have read (and loved) The End of Your Life Book Club.  Looking forward to good company, good coffee and a good chat.  Just tell me where and when.  Jen