During the month of Des Moines

Hello again ladies. I've taken it upon myself to update the blog again. I've listed the books we did not select, as well as the official book club choice for the month of Des Moines.

We had a lovely time at Brooke's home on Wednesday. She has a secret recipe for a caramel dip that is like crack. Damn you! Her co-worker made her promise not to share the recipe. Of the ladies present, only one finished the book, again. Twas alright. We managed to get a lot of discussion out of the parts we did read, so go us!

Brooke will lead us through a discussion of The Center of Everything by Laura Moriarty on Wednesday January 14th. I will be hosting that evening. We'll start at 7 PM. Hopefully, I will have my apartment ready, but be on your toes, I may host at a restaurant.

In other non-book club news, Carissa is serving on the board of directors for the Des Moines Gay Men's Chorus. Their holiday performances are Des Moines 18th & 19th at the Temple for the Performing Arts. A group of ladies expressed interest in going together for the Friday night performance. Getting a little dolled up. Having a few cocktails (or mocktails). General good times had by all. If you're interested in attending either night, contact Carissa for tickets.

That's about all. I hope everyone had a lovely Turkey Day. Mmm, food coma.....

It's been a long time since we've been here

but here we go.

I'm not as good at this as Meghan, Jess and Martine have been with their diligent posts. Someone complained last week at book club that we don't update this blog any more. You too can participate in this blog. We may need Meghan's assistance to give the newer members the ablility to post.

Our next book will be The Life & Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson.

It's a lovely story about growing up in Des Moines, Iowa in the 1950s. Being one of those born & raised in Des Moines folks, I think I'm going to like it. He talks about landmarks and things that we may be able to recognize as individuals currently living in the Des Moines area. Annie also mentioned that she sat next to a man on an airplane that has some connections to the Des Moines Playhouse making the book into a play in the spring of 2009. We'll have to keep our eyes out and it can be another book club outing.

I am working on updating the list of books we have read and those we have not chosen. I hope to complete that tonight, but given that I mooch my internet connection from other people's wireless networks, my access to email has been pretty sketchy the last few days. If you have any other titles to add to the list, please log-in and update our layout.

Not sure what else I have to add on behalf of the book club. I've had more sleep since the last time we met, so I feel way more better. I enjoyed the World Food Festival! I'm looking forward to seeing you all again sooner rather than later. I have really enjoyed the last few book club meetings. Thank you for continuing to make an impact on my life ladies and not kicking me out. Much love to all of you!

This Month's Read

Hey all -
Well, the get together on Wednesday was a success. Much love to everyone that made it and hope all the folks caught with assorted sniffles are feeling better.
We even managed to get a Noah sighting in the mix :)

We did select a new book for the next meeting.
The Emperor's Children by Claire Messud. Check out other reviews here.

Annie has graciously agreed to host the next meeting. We are planning on October 17, 7PM - ish.
Details will of course follow.
Hope everyone is doing well.

August Announcement

Ok everyone -
We did decide on Widow of the South
I have sent an email with a date of August 23, at my house.
I would love to get back together this month -- it will be our 2 year anniversary!!
Who would have thought we would make it this far?
Hope to see you all there.
Meghan

Next Month's Book

Hey there book club fans. If you haven't checked out Martine's blog recently, she got the date! Read about it here.

We need to choose the next book. Here are three choices. I'll let you read about each of them and then you can send me an email (bethmensing@hotmail.com). Vote for one and hopefully we'll get a simple winner. I'll take votes until Thursday the 5th and announce on Friday the 6th.

Saving Fish from Drowning, Amy Tan

Water for Elephants, Sara Gruen

Widow of the South, Robert Hicks

I hope everyone is happy and healthy and we can all get together in early August to discuss our next book.

Discussion of June's Book - Kite Runner

I hope everyone is good with this. I've only gotten three positive responses, but if we don't have a critical mass to discuss the book and/or choose a new book, we'll just enjoy each other's company and the work of the brewmaster at Rock Bottom.

I will be at Rock Bottom next Tuesday, June 26th, by 6:45 for a 7:00 dinner with you all. I'll make a reservation for 8-10 depending on what I hear from the rest of you ladies. We'll have drinks, food and I'll bring a couple of choices for next month.

If we don't have at least 6 for bookclub, I can't see us picking the new book. Yea? Feedback?

Thank Yous All Around!

I am writing thank you cards to give you all at the next meeting, but because we have not scheduled it yet and I am not sure when we will....:) I wanted to say a big

Thank You!!

on behalf of Nate and I (and of course, Noah!) for the wonderful book club shower gifts. For those of you who went in on the group gift, the onsies are super! The Exersaucer rocks!! (For those of you that do not have kids, you may be thinking what the heck did we get them?...I have never heard of an "ExerSaucer"! ... I, myself, have only just been exposed to the concept in the last couple of months...click here to see a picture.) We also love the Whoozit, which I have been told is a must have! (Okay, again I am providing a link for those of you that may be asking yourselves whatever happened to the baby items with recognizable names...like diaper, bottle...I assure you this is way cooler!) :)

I cannot wait to bring Noah home to meet you great people and to use all his fun stuff!

Thanks Again!