September

August

I know this book was supposed to be read in August, but I secretly read it in July! I didn't think I would have anytime to read during the move (and I didn't!), but once I picked it up I could not put it down until it was finished! LOVED loved LOVED loved LOVED it. I absolutely can't wait to see it with you ladies ;)
If you haven't read it yet, HURRY!

July

Did everyone enjoy their month off? We spent our July moving into our first place! Not the most relaxing thing in the world, but well worth it! The picture above I stole from my sister. It is from her July road trip up to Canada. I thought it looked a little more relaxing and summery than the ones of us moving boxes...

June

Calli was our hostess for June and we read The Testament by John Grisham. She turned it into a fun girl's  night. We went out for yummy desert ;)

Thanks Calli and thanks Natalie for the picture!

Change of Plans

We will now be meeting at 

E Street Cafe 

from 

7pm - 9pm

Hope that works for everyone

 and we will see you there!

May's Mystery

Movie Night

It was so exciting getting to go out and see Water for Elephants after reading the book! The day of I could not wait. We had a really good turn out too. Lots of new faces. Thanks girls!
Obviously no one liked the movie better than the book, but I think they did an okay job. Sometimes after reading the book and then seeing the movie I think to myself, "Why did they even have the titles the same? It was completely different!" I thought for the most part it followed the book fairly well. Everyone had their different opinions on the acting and chemistry between the actors. We all agreed that we did not like how in the movie Marlena's character seemed to be more seductive. I thought the changes that they had made while making the movie were pretty typical Hollywood.
With the movie aside, I really enjoyed the book and discussing it. It probably has entered my favorites list. Not my favorite, but in that group. I loved the author's writing style. I loved how she decided to write about Jacob in his youth and his old age. We all looked at our grandparents with different eyes after seeing Jacob's life through older, wiser, and yet very vulnerable ones. I have always had a soft spot for those who have lasted long enough to have those remarkable experiences, wrinkles, aches, pains, humble spirits, wise eyes, and over sized hearts. I loved seeing how this old man got to the place in life where he was. I love that he took us on his journey. I journey full of magic, illusion, love, death, defeat, sorrow, sin, repentance, and endurance. It was nice to be able to peak inside of what our grandparents experienced during those hard times known as the depression. During book club I was able to also see some hidden messages and symbolism.

It was a great night.
It was a great book.
Ashley did a great job.

I will see you lovely ladies next month!

Pictures coming soon!

April

Isn't Ashley cute? She made this. She is awesome.

Thanks Kindsay!

Kindsay was the first hostess (besides myself) for book club. She did an amazing job! The table was set up with things that represented all different cultures. We ate brochette and then indulged in crepes. Yummy!
I have a confession to make...
I did not finish the book! I know, I know. Horrible right?! But I promise my month was crazy and it is not over yet. We have been dealing with flooding and icky mold.
Despite not finishing the book I still enjoyed girl time and some discussions on Bel Canto. Every time we get together I feel like I learn so much about the story and author's message. Things that seemed annoying somehow turn into interesting. For example, a few girls complained about the book moving slow and feeling stagnant. We learned at book club that the author intended to create this mood so that we could relate to the hostages. I love getting a different spin on things and opening my mind to so many different points of view.
Well if you would excuse me, I have lots of catch up reading to do! I didn't realize that when creating a book club I was setting myself up for homework. Right now I am behind!
Thanks again Kindsay for being the first gal to volunteer to hostess! Everything was perfect!
Pictures to come! I'll get better!

March

Somewhere in South America, at the home of the country's vice president, a lavish birthday party is being held in honor of Mr. Hosokawa, a powerful Japanese businessman. Roxanne Coss, opera's most revered soprano, has mesmerized the international guests with her singing. It is a perfect evening — until a band of gun-wielding terrorists breaks in through the air-conditioning vents and takes the entire party hostage. But what begins as a panicked, life-threatening scenario slowly evolves into something quite different, as terrorists and hostages forge unexpected bonds and people from different countries and continents become compatriots. Friendship, compassion, and the chance for great love lead the characters to forget the real danger that has been set in motion and cannot be stopped. 

Kindsay is the hostess for March's book. She hears this book is very very good, but it may be slow in the beginning. We will be meeting at her parents' house. Email me or her for the address! We will be meeting March 31st at 7:30pm.

Enjoy!

My bowl is full

Our second group meeting has now come to an end and I couldn't be happier with the result. Some ladies were out of town and others just not able to make it, but we took what was placed in our bowls and enjoyed. I started out my day with an empty but open bowl. Now as I prepare to jump into bed, it could not be more full. If you did not read our February book you are probably very confused. If you did, you know exactly what I am talking about.

Everyday Sacred was recommended by Erin. We were so sad that she was not able to make it. I would have loved to hear her opinions and input on the book. As I walk away from our meeting tonight I have many things to ponder. These were some of the things we discussed and are taking with us in our bowls...

First of all, the book was all about bowls. In so many different areas we were related to bowls. As women our uterus is a sacred bowl. As individuals our minds are bowls. We must always leave these bowls open. Like monks we must also take what has been placed in our bowls. Always accepting and grateful.
The book also put a lot of emphasis on not doing too many things, but having just enough. Do not let your bowl overflow. Leave it open, unless it is full.
There is so so much that was discussed with this book tonight and there is no possible way I could jot down all of our opinions and how it related to our everyday lives, but I will say that I have learned.

I am grateful for the opportunity to gather with friends to discuss. Some of the girls did not realize that the author had made an impact on them until we were all able to share our thoughts and relate to one another. It is so wonderful to be able to teach, share, learn, laugh, listen, and come close to tears together.

The book mentioned the story of Stone Soup. I have not heard that story since elementary school, but read about it in this story and in my family magazine in the same week. I thought it only appropriate to make home made turkey rice soup. All the lovely ladies ladies brought their own empty bowls, of course!

February

 

I am very excited to start our new book for February. The book is Everyday Sacred by Sue Bender. Erin suggested this book and it was unanimously chosen! 

The internet had this to say about it:

Applying the symbolism of the empty Zen begging bowl, Bender graciously shares another leg of her spiritual journey, the previous being her stay with the Amish recorded in her best seller, Plain and Simple (HarperCollins, 1989). Listening to the author (who also serves as reader), one has to admire her zest for life and determination for self-discovery as she recounts the experiences that filled her bowl daily and revealed the sacred. She learned that miracles can and do occur when we accept whatever happens to us each day, work from the heart, do less, and listen and relax more. She tells of the power in small things, the beauty in imperfection, and the boundless effects of generosity. Bender's findings are pure and simple and not unheard of; however, it is the fresh context in which she places them that makes Everyday Sacred a special and unique program. 

 

Happy Reading 

Clucking Hens

Thank you ladies for coming to our first book club meeting. I would have to say it was a good turn out. I thoroughly enjoyed the laughs and chats. Kyle has never experienced being in the same house as so many women, I am pretty sure he thought we sounded like a bunch of clucking hens. In the morning he explained that there must have been ten conversations going on at once! I think that means we had fun ;)

Thanks again for coming! If you couldn't make it, no biggie. We'll see you next time!

My Address

 

Hey party people! Book Club is coming up. Can you believe it is THIS Thursday?! Oh my. If you are planning on coming please email me at

merrily.roberts@gmail.com

for my address

Also, it would probably be a good idea to "follow" the blog. That way you can keep up with our happenings!

Can't wait to see you all on Thursday

PS The picture above is of our humble abode. 

Now you know what to look for :)

To Read or Not To Read?

My cute friend Natalie created a post about the new book club on her family blog. She was not too sure about joining and trying to read with her crazy schedule. She has two kids, just bought a new house, and is a graphic designer. Despite her busy bee life, reading has made an interesting change to her day to day routine.

Meet Natalie!
http://clarkandnatalierumsey.blogspot.com/2011/01/fancy-what.html

January

 

Okay ladies, are you ready? 

To get us started we will be reading the classic Emma by Jane Austen. I have already begun the book and have been completely swept away by its romance. I find Emma's character to be so intriguing! I absolutely can't wait for us all to get together and discuss it! Maybe we'll watch the movie, too!

I was thinking we would get together Thursday, January 27th @ seven pm at mi casa. Please email me for my address and let me know if you will be able to make it :)

Hope to see all you pretty ladies there!