June 2012

We met at the lovely home of Linda Eisinger to watch the movie Sarah's Key.  We had read the book earlier and was delighted to learn that a movie had been made.  Linda had seen the movie and recommended us to see it and so the idea was born to watch it together.

Before the movie began, we had delicious treats.  Linda provided sandwiches and cupcakes from Chez Monet (Jefferson City) and the rest of us brought dishes to share.  You can see our wonderful spread and get a peek at Linda's home.

Yummy food at Linda's house

Kristin Scott Thomas plays Julia, a journalist who is writing a piece for a French magazine on the Bel d'Hiv roundup of Jews in 1942.  She does a wonderful job playing an American who speaks fluent French.  The movie moves back and forth from 1942 to 2009 as the film tries to capture the horrific events of that time.  The plot is harrowing, with enough shocking scenes to make you feel some of the trauma the French Jews endured.

Linda, Joan and Pat

Joan, Pat, Kelsey, Linda (hidden) and Linda

After the movie discussion, Pat reminded us of these words:

"First They Came for the Jews"
By Pastor Niemoller

  First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me. 

Terri, Kelsey, Linda, Pat, Linda, Linda and Joan

 

May 2012

The book club met at El Jalisco's in Jefferson City on a beautiful mid Spring evening.  We sat outdoors and enjoyed each other's company.  Linda presented a gift to Terri as she is moving to St. Charles in June.  The gift was a charm for her Pandora bracelet.  She was recognized by the group as a founding member of the book club.  Terri says she will make plans to come to a few meetings in the future.

The book of discussion was My Week with Marilyn Monroe.  Terri's response was that the movie was much better than the book.  Those who read the book said that the book was flat, and did not create a very interesting portrayal of Marilyn.  Considering the author was 23 years old at the time of the setting, it is likely he did not see the significance of making of the movie and his role in it.  Our opinion:  stick to the movie.

Next month we will meet at Linda's to see the movie Sarah's Key.  We read the book earlier in the year.  We will meet at 5:00 on June 5 at Linda's house in JC.

Antoinette, Paula, Joan, Terri, Linda, Kelsey, Ashley, Pat and Linda

April 2012

We met at the wonderful Fuji restaurant last night.  We had a small but talkative group.  The book we discussed was The Paris Wife.  A fictional book based on a real character is always tricky.  And, when the protagonist is Ernest Hemingway, that makes the book much more interesting.  Hadley is Ernest's first wife, his starter wife,(there were a total of four) and is eight years older than he.  Ernest meets Gertrude Stein while he is writing The Sun Also Rises and many other celebrities during their time in Paris.  Most of us weren't quite finished with it but we still had a great discussion wondering how the book would end.

Next month we are meeting on May 1 at El Espolon on Hwy 179 at our usual time.  We are reading My Week with Marilyn. 

March 2012

Pat and Kelsey

Linda, Anntoinette and Paula

February 2012

Our delightful group met at Red Lobster (a first for us!) to discuss Troublemaker and The Magician's Elephant.  Troublemaker will not be released until later in February so the discussion focused on The Magician's Elephant.  The book was artfully crafted by author Kate DiCamillo to create a book with a dreamy, starry quality to the prose.  The fable, starting with Pete spending his master's money on something he shouldn't (does this remind you of Jack and the Beanstalk?) which sets off a series of events so unlikely that when the end comes and they are so neatly tied together that you can't help but be amazed!  The book illustrates so beautifully the power of having a dream and working toward making it come true.

We meet again on Monday, March 5 (note the day change!) at 5:00 at Paddy Malones.  We will be discussing Emma and Me. 

Until next time, happy reading!

January 2012 Meeting

Tonight we met at Panera Bread on the Boulevard.  It was a hoppin' place.  After ordering dinners of soups, salads and sandwiches, we talked about.........MOVIES!

We talked about My Week with Marilyn Monroe, Sarah's Key, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and another one that isn't popping into my head.  We did discuss the book some, Major Pettigrew's Last Stand, but on my end it was difficult to hear the discussion.  Sorry, girls.

We also discussed the merits and downfalls of eBooks, as it pertains to public school libraries.   Other lively topics of discussion were grandchildren, French immersion schools, the new high school, and the possible tax levy.

Next month we meet at Red Lobster on February 7 at 5:00.  Books to be announced.

Related articles

• Possible Discussion Questions for Sarah's Key (allbooksclub.wordpress.com)
• What I Love about Panera Bread (goseelove.org)
• Thousand of eBooks - Free, the way we like it (bookofjoe.com)
• In Love with "My Week with Marilyn" (imamovienerd.wordpress.com)

December Meeting

The Pickwick Society met at Hunan's on the Boulevard to discuss James Patterson's book The Christmas Wedding.  All enjoyed the book and its characters but believed there aren't three men alive who would wait on a woman to decide who she'd marry on Christmas Day!

After dinner, we exchanged Christmas gifts.  This year we started with our own gifts.  The one who had a birthday in January started first, February second and so on.  Everyone received lovely gifts. 

Pat admiring her gift.

Kelsey

Joan

Linda

Our next meeting is January 10, 2011 at Panera's where we will be discussing Major Pettigrew's Last Stand.  Meet at 5:00 to enjoy dinner!

Related articles

• The Christmas Wedding by James Patterson (alleganylibrarycollections.wordpress.com)