Book 4

We're also getting ready to read the The Corrections (2001) by Jonathan Franzen. His book, an epic family drama, has frequently been compared to the works of Joyce Carol Oates in terms of style and tone. It has received several awards, including the National Book Award for Fiction in 2001. We'll try to ignore the fact that it was included on the Oprah Book Club List, however!


Date: TBA
Time: TBA
Location: TBA
Wine: TBA
Appetizers: TBA

Book 3

For our next meeting, we're reading The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
(1997), which comes higly recommended by E.L. A first-person narrative, the book follows Dinah, the biblical daughter of Jacob and sister of Joseph. The book has been extremely well received by both secular and Christian critics, as well as being included on the New York Times Bestseller's List.


Date: TBA
Time: TBA
Location: TBA
Wine: TBA
Appetizers: TBA

When guests attack!

I know something like this will happen at my wedding:

Check out Wedding Guests Behaving Badly

Have you ever experienced anything like this?!

From Page to Stage

In the spirit of our next book, M.B. said she'd play the musical version of Ragtime. Here is a video of the cast performing the opening number at the 1998 Tony Awards.

Strawberry Bruschetta

INGREDIENTS

• 24 slices French baguette
• 1 tablespoon butter, softened
• 2 cups chopped fresh strawberries
• 1/4 cup white sugar, or as needed

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat your oven's broiler. Spread a thin layer of butter on each slice of bread. Arrange bread slices in a single layer on a large baking sheet.
2. Place bread under the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes, just until lightly toasted. Spoon some chopped strawberries onto each piece of toast, then sprinkle sugar over the strawberries.
3. Place under the broiler again until sugar is caramelized, 3 to 5 minutes. Serve immediately.

Coming to Theaters Soon...

I'm not sure if I mentioned this or not, but the film version of The Time Traveler's Wife will be released in December. Eric Bana will play Henry, and Rachel Adams will play Claire. I'm honestly not excited about the cast (never been a huge fan of either). I'm also worried about how the plot line will be handled in the film version, especially since a great deal of the novel relies on interior monologue. We'll have to talk about it at the meeting!

Zucchini Cheese Garlic Appetizers

INGREDIENTS

• 4 cups grated zucchini
• 1 3/4 cups biscuit baking mix
• 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
• 4 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 large finely chopped onion
• 4 cloves chopped garlic
• 3 tablespoons dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano

The Book

I finally finished the book---it only took me 2 1/2 weeks to get it done. Not that it was a hard read, but just so many things going on, ya know!

I liked the book---in fact, I liked it a lot. I haven't read a truly fiction book in ages (I've been in a memoir kick for a while), and I completely enjoyed it. I thought it was inventive, unusal and well-written.


On a different note, we need to start posting delicious appetizer recipes on here as well---I mean, I love wine and cheese, but seriously, new appetizer ideas excite me. All tapas all the time!

Book 2

For our second meeting, we will discuss Ragtime (1975) by E.L. Doctorow. The book is a work of historical fiction, and it won the National Book Critics Circle Award for fiction in 1975 (Doctorow won the same award for a second time in 2005 for The March). It follows the lives of three fictional American families in New York City during the early portion of the 20th century. In additional, several important historical events and figures regularly appear throughout the narrative.

Date: Thursday, 6/26
Time: 8:00 pm
Location: M.B.'s House
Wine: Sauvignon Blanc (E.L. and M.B.)
Appetizers: Hummus, Pitas, and more (E.M.)

Book 1

For our first meeting, we will discuss The Time Traveler's Wife (2003) by Audrey Niffenegger. The fictional novel follows the life of two protagonists, Claire and Henry De Tamble. Suffering from a disease called "chrono-displacement," Henry finds that he suddenly disappears without warning to other points in his past or future. Meanwhile, his wife, Claire, is left to wait alone while her husband travels abruptly through time. The book uses alternating first-person narrators, telling the story through both protagonists' voices. Though the title suggests something in the style of science fiction, Niffenegger deals mainly with realistic themes, most especially the complicated and difficult relationship of the central couple.


Date: Thursday, 6/12/08
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Place: E.M.'s House
Wine: Pinot Grigio (E.M. and E.L.)
Appetizers: Cheese and Snacks (M.B.)