Fantastic End of Year for Y-Read Book Club

So many good books this year. Just look at the list on the left. So much good food, look back at our pictures. Such good girl friends, each bringing a special presence and view point to the table. So much love and caring, just look at us.

"We carry your hearts in our hearts"
(click for the actual poem)

Breathe

And the Devil is.....?

....in the White City, of course!

A wonderful afternoon at Roz's house. We learned a lot about Chicago and the World's Fair. Lovely food and wine! 

In addition, we were treated to a lovely photo journal of The Lufkin's most recent excursion - Bali.Very entertaining.

Our next read is:

A first novel by Laila Ibrahim.

Biography

  My experiences in multiracial, developmental psychology provided ample fodder for the story of Mattie and Lisbeth. I was the founder and director of Woolsey Children's School where I had first hand experience loving children that were not my own. There are scenes in the book that were largely influenced interactions I had with children from Woolsey. As a birth doula I have the privilege to witness the intensity and joy of childbirth. You can see that my birth experiences are reflected in the novel as well. I recently started working as the Director of Children and Family Ministries at the First Unitarian Church in Oakland. I live in a small co-housing community in Berkeley, California, with my wonderful wife, Rinda, our amazing children, Kalin and Maya, and our crazy dogs, Bella and Lucie. Yellow Crocus is my first novel. 

"Moments after Lisbeth is born, she’s taken from her mother and handed over to an enslaved wet nurse, Mattie, a young mother separated from her own infant son in order to care for her tiny charge. Thus begins an intense relationship that will shape both of their lives for decades to come. Though Lisbeth leads a life of privilege, she finds nothing but loneliness in the company of her overwhelmed mother and her distant, slave-owning father. As she grows older, Mattie becomes more like family to Lisbeth than her own kin and the girl’s visits to the slaves’ quarters"

Y-Dine September Birthday

Our Rockin' Kathy has a birthday!

 We had a great time and were surprised by 
    Kelly Jones!

Buster Gets a Quilt

Lookin' good buddy!

All The Light That Did Shine!

Fantastic discussion led by our host, Kathy (and Buster). Wonderful book selection. Why are we surprised when it was a Pulitzer Prize Winner for 2015?

We enjoyed the author's video showing locations and some information on how the book was developed. I was surprised it took several years to write.

Buster was in someones' lap the whole meeting!

Happy almost birthday, Roz!
Those bundt cakes are killer good.

Notes on All the Light We Cannot See

FAQ: Answered by the author

What does the title mean?

It’s a reference first and foremost to all the light we literally cannot see: that is, the wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum that are beyond the ability of human eyes to detect (radio waves, of course, being the most relevant). It’s also a metaphorical suggestion that there are countless invisible stories still buried within World War II — that stories of ordinary children, for example, are a kind of light we do not typically see. Ultimately, the title is intended as a suggestion that we spend too much time focused on only a small slice of the spectrum of possibility.

Watch the Anthony Doeer's short video:

  

A Classy Group

July at Kelly's

Uh....how did that handsome dude slip in?

We had a great time, good food, very select wine and a nice discussion. Varied opinions on the read, "We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves."   (Thank you for the picture Lisa)

Definitely an unusual book but cutting edge reflecting the psychology of the 1970's and the start of the animal rights movement. I was fascinated with the description of  language acquisition and the "twin" aspect. The dictionary in my reader really got a work out. Kelly always selects interesting books.

Please ladies add your comments as I cannot remember all that we discussed!

BTW Kelly is our certified wine expert now! All three of the "young set" recently went on a wine tour in southern Arizona and had a fantastic time. (So now the contest begins in earnest - who has the largest wine collection.)

Pulitzer Prize Selection

A Spoiler

A review written by Barbara Kingsolver

Perfect

Happy 4th by Google