STAR TELEGRAM ARTICLE

One of our members saw this in the Fort Worth Star Telegram and entered us in the contest. We will let you know if they call and want to feature us!

http://www.star-telegram.com/books/story/1089447.html

DECEMBER MEETING

Our December book was A Cedar Cove Christmas by Debbie Macomber. I think we all enjoyed the book, but it was a little too predictable and simple. Not that we think we are trying to read intellectual books by any means, but this was not one of our favorite books. I think the consensus was that it was a little cheesy with the Wyse men!

We are still searching for a good mystery to read, but haven't decided on that one yet.

So put this one on your Christmas list ... for our January book we decided on a fiction book titled "Domestic Affairs." The author is Eileen Goudge. Here is a video clip by the author. http://www.domesticaffairsbook.com/video.html I think we will enjoy reading this one! Let's start now so that we aren't sitting in the parking lot finishing it on on January 6th ... our first meeting in 2009!

NOVEMBER MEETING

Here we are at the November book club meeting. Apparently I forgot to post it after the meeting and several people commented that they looked for it! I'm happy to hear that people are reading the blog.

We read The Necklace and really enjoyed it! We had a great meeting and discussion about it. I think everyone really enjoys reading nonfiction books.

OCTOBER MEETING

It was a smaller group for the October meeting than we've had in the past. I think that may have been due to the fact hat no one really was enjoying reading Songs Without Words. In fact, not ONE person had finished it yet! We actually assigned two of our members to finish it and report back to us at the November meeting on how the book ends.

So that brings us to the November meeting ... VERY IMPORTANT ... we are meeting on Monday, November 3rd (due to Tuesday being Election Day.) I will email you all a reminder on the previous Sunday to remind you to meet on Monday.

And .... since there was a little confusion about which book to read for October... We are reading for November "The Necklace" by Cheryl Jarvis. I have finished it (as have several others due to the confusion!) I think you all are REALLY going to enjoy this one! We will have a lot to talk about ... you might even see yourself in one of the characters in this book! It is a perfect book for a lively discussion.

So as your "leader" ... I officially apologize for the confusion last month! I will try and be better about posting (I said try)!

The weather is turning cool ... so let's all relax and curl up with a good book ("The Necklace") and get ready for a great discussion and a fun get-together for November!

OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER BOOKS

Here is the BOOK we are reading for October. The title is Songs Without Words by Ann Packer.

Synopsis: Liz and Sarabeth were girlhood neighbors in the suburbs of Northern California, brought as close as sisters by the suicide of Sarabeth's mother. In the decades that followed, their relationship remained a source of continuity and strength. But when Liz's adolescent daughter enters dangerous waters, the women's friendship takes a devastating turn, forcing Liz and Sarabeth to question their most deeply held beliefs about their connection.

AND FOR NOVEMBER
(possibly Monday instead of Tuesday because of Election Day)

Synopsis: When a group of thirteen middle-aged women friends decides to buy and share a $37,000 diamond necklace, they learn more than they ever thought possible about themselves, friendship, and the power of possibility.

We had originally voted to read "The Necklace" for October and "Songs Without Words" for November, but after checking further realized that The Necklace isn't available until September 9th. Since it may be a little hard to find it ... I made an executive decision ... so let's just switch them around ...

So for the October 7th meeting read "Songs Without Words"
November book is "The Necklace"

And we will vote at the October meeting about changing our first Tuesday in November to Monday or Wednesday, since the first Tuesday in November is Election Day!!

Please feel free to email me during the month so that I can post comments more often on the blog! tfett@sbcglobal.net .... or comment on the blog and I will post for you!

If you need any help getting either book, I thought it might be a good idea to go on Amazon and order a group of them ... is anyone interested in that? Check it out if you get a chance and let me know.

SEPTEMBER MEETING

Here is our fabulous September group! I think this might have been one of our best discussions ... or are we just getting really good at this??? We had a few new people that had so much to add ... please feel free, everyone, to keep bringing friends!

I will post about our next month book selection in my next post. We have a little problem with our selection ... so I will be making an executive decision. I have to check something for sure ... so check back shortly.

COMMENT FROM A CYBER MEMBER

I love this comment from my sister and wanted to share it with everyone ...

This is Kathleen, Tina's sister from Colorado Springs . I am always a bit behind the 8 ball, so I am just now finishing The Secret Between Us and felt very compelled to comment on it. I travel quite a bit so I am out of town and reading in hotel rooms in the evenings, poor me!! NOT! So my great sister sent the blog link to my work email so that I could comment on the book from hotels.

I thought the ending was a bit cheesy, and I totally identified with Deborah. I am sure that that is something I would have done-with the best of intentions- just like Deb. I also was struck by a simple comment that Michael, Deb's father made. It was so insignificant to the story, but struck a nerve with me. When he and Deb were talking about Jill and her pregnancy, and Deb and her "secret" he said, you girls are much harder now, you did not have all these problems when your Mother was alive. And Deb said...here it is...yes we did, Mom just filtered everything for you.

Wow, there it was, my connection to the story. Sounds just like me, though I am trying to get better at it. It is just so easy to solve everything and "take care of it" and then report it to my husband later.

Thanks for "listening" Kathleen

AUGUST MEETING

The discussion was lively ... it's proof, once again, that you can read a story and have as many different interpretations as there are people reading it. The comments range from "I hated this book" to "It was very entertaining."

One common denominator I noticed among our members that enjoyed this book seemed to be that they read it while floating in a pool. Could it be that our surroundings while reading influence how we feel?

September's meeting is Tuesday, September 2. (That's the day after Labor Day.) We will be reading: Memory Keeper's Daughter. The author is Kim Edwards. I can't wait to read this book!

IT'S ALMOST MEETING TIME AGAIN

Wow! Where did the time go? Our August meeting is just days away ... and I am just getting around to finally reading. I had planned on waiting to read this month's book so that it would be fresh on my mind, but I didn't mean to wait this long. I will have to read fast to read it before Tuesday's meeting.

Remember the month we met at Panera and it was so cold we needed a jacket ... and the next month one of you even brought a blanket! Ahhhh .... cool air .... that should be incentive enough not to miss the meeting!!

See y'all Tuesday ... August 5th ... 6:30 @ Panera Bread.

JULY MEETING

Here is the picture of our July group. I think a good time was had by all! And I, for one, can say that I have crossed off one of my wishes ... which was to be a member of a book club!

And here is the book we are reading for August:

I'm not sure if it was the description of the book that lured us into selecting this one or the picture of the ice cream sundae on the cover ... but whatever the case ... it sounds like it will be a fun book to read! Happy Reading to all. I'll post more later about some of the other books we discussed, plus our selection for September has been voted on also. So be sure to check back weekly for more details.

GOALS, DREAMS OR WISHES?

I hope you enjoyed the book, 20 Wishes. How many times have you had something you wanted to do, but thought the idea may be ridiculous? (belly dancing, owning red cowboy boots ... whatever your wish is, it's yours!) That's sort of the premise of the book we are going to discuss Tuesday, July 1st. Have you started your list? Bring it with you to the meeting! If you haven't started your list, maybe when you hear what others have, you will be able to begin yours. The idea isn't that they have to be goals or dreams you have ... they don't have to be anything long term or things that are only achievable by you ... just things that you've "wished" for. Because as you found after reading the book, your wishes can come true!

Hope to see you there! Tuesday, July 1st, 6:30 at Panera Bread on Precinct Line Road in Hurst. Come for dinner ... or come for the discussion! It's sure to be a good time.

JUNE MEETING

What a great group! And a great discussion!

July's Meeting is:
Tuesday, July 1st
Same time and place ... Panera Bread at 6:30

Book is: Twenty Wishes
Author: Debbie Macomber

I have started reading and I love this book. I am going to use Post-It notes this time (I saw a few people had done that last month) ... so that I will remember some things I want to discuss. Both of the books we read, I read so early in the month that I had forgotten a lot of it. I am going to try to make notes this time!

THE NOMINEES ARE ...

I can't wait to talk about this book. I've had several people already generating discussion. "Don't you think we would have reacted just like Deborah did," was one question someone asked me tonight? And "If she knew her daughter had been drinking," wouldn't that have changed what she did? But after all ... did that really have anything to do with the outcome???

We have a lot to talk about with this one!
The nominees: So far we have 2 books that have been nominated for our July Book.
The first one is: The Shack

It sounds like a good one, an inspirational read, so it may be a little like our first one. It is a short book for those of you that are feeling a little overwhelmed about having to read ... so it's a possibility.

The next nomination is: Twenty Wishes.

This looks like a good book also. I will probably read this one whether it it our selection or not. She is one of my favorite authors. It sort of sounds like a "Bucket List" type of book. Although I haven't seen that movie, it has a good story line and contains some thought-provoking issues.

We need more nominations ... but I thought I'd go ahead and throw those out there!

Can't wait to see everyone Tuesday!

READING BY THE POOL

Do you read more in the summertime? I love to "float" in the pool and read, but it has become increasingly more difficult as the years go by. I don't have a pair of prescription sunglasses. I went to the eye doctor, but he says I don't need a prescription. I have to wear reading glasses (more like magnifying glasses) to read, and I find it is hard to read in the bright sunlight. I haven't found a pair of flip shades that stay on my glasses.

I don't think I'm the only one with this problem, but I don't think I've ever asked anyone before. Since most of the FaLaLa Book Club members are about my age .... surely someone will have a solution ??? Please share!!

Our next book club meeting is next TUESDAY, JUNE 3rd. Panera Bread at 6:30 ... Hope to see you all there!! Even if you haven't finished the book, of course, you are welcome to come to the meeting. You can join in the discussion ... and be a part of choosing our July book!

GET A BACKBONE!

Is it just me or does anyone else want to yell at Deborah Monroe to get a backbone? I was thinking ... why is she allowing herself to be "abused" by her daughter, her ex-husband, her father, and even her patients. She is such a pleaser ... or is she a control freak? Definitely something to think about.

Then I think of her role as a mother ... and I remember a time when my daughter might have told me she was going to burn the house down and I might have said, "Do you want me to get you some matches or a lighter?" ... and then I realize I need to be more understanding of what she is going through.

If you haven't started reading, you can still do it! This book is 343 pages ... if it's a chore for you to find time to read, you only have to read approximately 20 pages a day and you can still finish it before our next meeting

Let me know how it's going ... are you frustrated with any of the characters? Who do you relate to so far? We have a lot to talk about with this one.

Happy reading!

MAY MEETING

Our first book club meeting was a huge success! I think it was a consensus among all present that the book was a great one... very moving and inspirational. We could have talked about it for hours.

Before we move on ... a huge thank you to Richard for taking the photo for us.

We have chosen our next book. It is .... (drum roll) ...

THE SECRET BETWEEN US
AUTHOR: BARBARA DELINSKY

I have started reading it and it is a GOOD one! It is totally different from our first book ... it is fiction ... it's going to be a great discussion!

The next meeting is:

Tuesday, June 3

(same itinerary... that seemed to work out well for everyone!)

6:30 ... dinner (if you choose)

@ Panera Bread in Hurst

7:15 ... Decide on next month's book

7:30 ... Discussion of The Secret Between Us

8:30 ... Close

A VISIT WITH THE AUTHORS

Wow! It was amazing. I cannot tell you how extraordinary these gentlemen are. It is truly an unbelievable story. I wish you all could have been there to meet Ron Hall and Denver Moore and hear them talk about their journey to this point. They have been guest speakers in places around the United States, and today had 3 one-hour radio interviews ... so to have them right here in Grapevine in a gymnasium with a few hundred people present is almost unthinkable.

Next Tuesday they will be in Washington, D.C. at the White House to receive an award for their contribution surrounding advancing literacy in the United States.

As promised, Denver Moore is truly "carrying the torch that Miss Debbie lit" to continue sharing God's word to all he comes in contact with. He even sang a song at the end ... it was so moving.

I am looking forward to tomorrow night, as I hope you all are, to our first book club meeting!

See you there!

You've Still Got Time to Read It!

You still have time to read the book before our first meeting! It's a short book and a really easy one to read. Most of the people I have talked to say they can't put it down once they start ... so come on ... start reading! You've still got a week.

For those of you that are going to join me for the field trip, here's what I am planning to do. I am going to go to Grapevine Middle School as early as 3:30 when school dismisses and check out the seating arrangements. I will reserve as many seats as I can ... as close to the front as I can.

So call my cell phone or look for me there!

And don't forget to bring your book so you can get it autographed!

FIELD TRIP

We haven't even had our first book club meeting yet ... but we can't miss this opportunity.
Check this out:

Mon May 5, 2008
Ron & Denver will be speaking in Grapevine. The event will be held in the main gymnasium of Grapevine Middle School, 301 Pony Parkway in Grapevine, TX. The event is sponsored by "Students Standing Strong" Contact Lori Atkeisson at Lori.Atkeisson@gcisd.net for further information. Starting time is 6:30 pm and a booksigning will follow. Desserts and drinks will be offered also.

I took the liberty, as a representative of Fa La La Book Club, of emailing the above person and got this response:

Tina,
No, tickets aren't required, but you may want to arrive early to get a good seat. We will be selling books for $20 or you can bring your own copy. Hope to see you there!
Lori Atkeisson

I have never been one to camp out to buy front row tickets or spend the night outside a store for a sale, (well, except for that one time when my daughter and I spent the night on the streets of Austin so that she could audition for American Idol... another story for another blog) ... but seriously ... I may pitch a tent to get a good seat for this one !!

How about y'all ... anybody else up for a field trip?

6 Degrees of Separation

Six degrees of separation is the theory that anyone on the planet can be connected to any other person on the planet through a chain of acquaintances that has no more than five intermediaries. The theory was first proposed in 1929 by the Hungarian writer Frigyes Karinthy in a short story called "Chains." (Not going to be a book club choice!)

This theory was brought to my attention when one of our fellow book club members recognized a friend's email address in the list of invites.

You just don't know who you might see at the Fa La La Book Club Meeting ... and that's why you can't miss ... you never know who knows someone you know ... and didn't know they knew each other. Or as "they" say ... It's a Small World After All.

Hope you're enjoying reading Same Kind of Different As Me.

Inaugural Post

I hope you are reading this inaugural post because you, like me, have always wanted to join a book club! The Fa La La Book Club's purpose is to bring together a group to read one book a month and discuss what we have read. We have chosen a book and a meeting place for our first get-together. We are planning to meet the first Tuesday of each month. Here are the details.

First Meeting: Tuesday, May 6th
Book Title: Same Kind of Different As Me
Authors: Ron Hall and Denver Moore
Meeting Place: Panera Bread
1804 Precinct Line Rd.
Hurst, Texas (817) 605-0766
Time: 6:30 p.m. (for dinner)

The "itinerary" is as follows:
6:30 p.m. - Dinner (if you choose)
7:15 p.m. - Meeting Begins
Discussion/Suggestions for Next Month's Book
We will decide as a group!
7:30 p.m. - Discussion of Same Kind of Different As Me
8:30 p.m. - Conclude Discussion

The restaurant closes at 9:00, so we can visit until then, if you wish!

Until then, I will post updates each Monday (and maybe more) with information or answer questions/comments that anyone has posted to this website. Please feel free to bring a friend to join in the fun! I would like to get an initial count by Sunday, May 4th so that we can be sure to have plenty of room for us all. We have reserved a private room at Panera Bread.

Meanwhile, start reading the book ... take notes, jot down a few questions or topics that you would like to cover in our discussion in the comments section and I will get back to you. It's going to be fun!