Meeting Reminder and Time Change

A reminder that our next meeting is coming up this Wednesday, December 8th at 9:00 p.m. at Sister's Brew!  Please note the time change -- it's a half hour later this month.  We're reading The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley, and Hailey Cahoon is leading the discussion.  Though there is still plenty of time to get it done before then, you should still come even if you haven't exactly "read the book" for two very important reasons:

a)--It's so fun to sit and chat with all the ladies; and
2)--Sister's Brew hot chocolate and other approved beverages are totally delish!

Look forward to seeing you all there.  :-)

P.S. Read any good books lately?  Tell us all about them here!

...Aaaaand We're Back!

Summer got away from us a little bit, but we're back with a new schedule! We decided to go with a "genre" theme for Bookish Women this year, so we've selected a handful of genres we want to explore along with a well-respected title in each one.

Our first meeting back will be held on Thursday, November 11 at Sister's Brew at 8:30 p.m. Check out the sidebar for the rest of the schedule through May.

This month's genre is the short story, and in honor of Halloween, we've chosen three short stories by Edgar Alan Poe. You can probably find books with the stories in the library -- or read them online here:

The Black Cat
Hop Frog
Berneice

A couple other items of business: as you can see in the sidebar, we're still deciding on a memoir...so if you have a suggestion leave it in the comments. Also, there's another place in the sidebar for reading recommendations. If you've read a great book lately, share here and we'll copy there as well! :-)

Can't wait to see everyone on November 11!

Adios for the Summer!

We've had a wonderful year of BOOKS, haven't we? It has been so fun to learn from each of you--thank you for being willing to lead discussions! Thank you for the many yummy treats, too, ladies!

Any votes on who our next leader should be? My vote's on APRIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Book Club Reminder and Location Change

Novel Swap: This Wednesday, April 28th, at 8:30 p.m. at Sisters Brew (This is a location change!). Please bring a new or used (but cheap!) copy of your favorite (or a favorite) novel to swap with someone else. Also, please be prepared to give us a brief description of what the book you brought is about. We will "bid" on the books! Somehow...not sure how, but somehow.

Regular Book Club: Wednesday, May 5th, at 8:30 p.m. at Sisters Brew. We will be discussing The Arabian Nights. Katie R. will be our discussion leader. Yay, Katie!

Novel Swap and Arabian Nights

April 21st: Please send Kim your favorites book list by this date. She will put the lists together for a summer reading list.

April 28th: Please come to the Hillside Village Clubhouse at 8:30 p.m. for a favorite novel swap. Bring a cheap copy of your favorite novel (or A favorite novel), and be prepared to give a short synopsis of the story (no spoilers!). Very casual--no need to stress over the synopsis. Basically a "This book is about..." type-of-thing. The summer reading list will be handed out at this time, too. Don't miss it!

May 5th: We'll be discussing ARABIAN NIGHTS, with Katie R. acting as our discussion leader. There are many versions of this book, so it'll be lots of fun to discuss it. It's easily found at the local bookstores, and I know there are copies at the public library and at the university library.

Silas Marner...April's book club read & another SPECIAL EVENT

We will be reading Silas Marner (by George Eliot) this month. It's fairly short, so we'll be meeting on Wednesday, April 14th, at 8:30 p.m. at the Hillside Village Clubhouse to discuss it. Megan is going to lead our discussion. Also, we're going to have a Bookish Women birthday party (celebrating EVERYONE'S birthdays), and we'll be eating traditional English food. If you'd like to volunteer to bring something English, just let me know. So far, Hailey is bringing cake, and I'm going to provide a traditional English Tea (more of a snack-meal than anything. Teatime in England doesn't necessarily mean tea will be served. I have an English friend who called going out for pizza at 5 p.m. "tea."). I realize this doesn't give people much time to read the book, but even if you don't get a chance to read it, please come and have fun with us! We'll watch a little excerpt of the movie, too.

Another thing I'd like to do this month is have a favorite novel swap. Please find a cheap or used copy of your favorite novel (or one of your favorites), and bring it to our SPECIAL EVENT, which will be held Wednesday, the 28th of April, at 8:30 p.m.

I'm also going to be compiling a summer reading list. Please think of at least four NOVELS that you recommend to fit the following categories: Life Changers, Pure Entertainment, I'd Recommend This to Anyone, and Longtime Favorites. Please send me the titles of the books, their categories, their authors, what you'd "rate" them (if they were a movie--G, PG, etc.) and why, and give a one or two-sentence thought about the book (not a summary, but what you thought about this book or how it affected you). Here's an example:

Kim T. would recommend HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE, by Diana Wynne Jones, to anyone. She rates it PG for magic and very mild story-book violence, and says, "This book is very smart and fun, as are all of Diana Wynne Jones' books."

We'll compile this list and post it on this blog so you can enjoy some fun summer reading!

Cabin Fever Picnic & Picture Book Club...& Regular Book Club!

The Cabin Fever Picnic & PIcture Book Club event will be held on Thursday, March 25th, at 5 p.m. at the church (behind Staples). Remember to bring a blanket and your supper (utensils and stuff, too). Also, please bring a used book for each child in your family. We're going to have a big swap.

Regular book club will be held on Wednesday, March 31st, at 8:30 p.m. at the Hillside Village Clubhouse. Pleasy is in charge of our discussion of Chinua Achebe's THINGS FALL APART. Please come, even if you haven't read the book! And bring a treat!

Upcoming Events

Many thanks to Dave for a most excellent book club tonight! And thanks to all of you who came--we had a great turnout. Lynette won our "Promptness Prize" (the first two books in a young adult series--"The Land of Elyon"); Lanny (Katie L.'s hubby) won a fake-book-really-treasure-box for correctly guessing what a mock-Shakespeare poem was "all about" (see this site--must scroll down a bit); April won a copy of next month's book club book (keep reading to find out what it is) for being the first to identify the author of Holy Sonnet #10 (John Donne), which was part of our poetry packet; and Rebekah N. won a collection of poetry for being the first to name a Robert Frost poem (She named "Out, Out").

Our next book for book club will be Chinua Echebe's THINGS FALL APART. We will meet on Wednesday, March 31st, at 8:30 p.m. at Sisters Brew. Pleasy will be leading the discussion.

Also, on Thursday, March 25th, at 5 p.m. at the church, we will be having a Cabin Fever Picnic & Picture Book Club. Please bring yourself, your family (children, too), a blanket to eat on, and your supper (everything--drinks, too). We will picnic inside while listening to wonderful children's picture books being read. I hope to have a guest reader for the event.

Ye Booke Clubbe Poetics

By Kim Thacker

Hark! The eve doth quickly come
When fair maids gather, to prattle some,
And to give ear to poet Dave--
A winsome buck and handsome knave--
Who lends the wisdom of his mind
To aid in study of a poetic kind.

But, "Alas!" cry I, and again, "Alack!"
Did yon fair maids forget their snack?
For poems go down best with food,
So bring a treat. Now, I conclude.

Translation:

Hey! The night is coming fast
When we get to hang out to chat a little,
And to listen to Dave, the poet--
Who has a charming personality and is pretty good
_____looking, even if he does have a bit of the devil

_____in him--
Who is going to share his knowledge
To help us learn more about poetry.

But, "Dang!" I cry, and then I shout, "Bummer!"
Did you gals forget to bring a treat to share?
Poetry is fun, but eating truly rocks.
So make sure you bring a treat for everyone to enjoy!

_____Now, I'm done with this silly poem that obviously

_____has meter problems...

We have a winner!!!

Here's the winning poem, folks:

Up to little old Moscow two love birds often fly
To spend a couple of joyous years at good old U of I.

'What to do in this little town,' they wonder with a sigh
'We're not sure we'll like it here, but I guess we'd better try.'

Then a spritely chap came walking by with a bounce up in his shoe
And the new arrivals queried him, 'What's there here to do?'

'What to do in Moscow? You really do not know?
Well stand your ground, you're in a town where good times overflow.

'There's Mikey's down on Main Street, not far from Sister's Brew,
Blackberries out in Kendrick and the Lentil Festival too.

'Elk River Falls and the Cedar grove not too far away
You'll pass Spring Valley Reservoir, a perfect place to play.

'There's grizzly bears, apples and pears over at WSU
A bike path Troy to Pullman and wheat fields for a view

'Enjoy your time in this little town once of the name 'Hog Haven'
Cause time is swift, and soon enough your dear friends will be wavin'.'

Poems for the Poetry Contest

Kindred Swells

We're riding the crests of
their current--a sisterhood

of scandalous gossip
and glistening eyes

heartache and cheesecake
Dirty diapers and temper tantrums

Childbirth, party tips,
and the only right answer
to the question that's
plagued us for years:

Does this skirt make my ass look big?

First a smile erupts,
then another, till we're
wagging our jaws and
straining our necks

A rush-storm of laughter
both bursting and rare

It spills over our faces,
this chorus of rolling delight

and continues to swell
Till long after we're gone

i haven't slept

in nearly 3 months

but when i do

i think about you

my body is sore

in places unheard of

but i'm holding you still

in awe this is real

i forgot what a job

and an income are like

you need me all day

its worth the pay

sometimes all you do

is scream and you fuss

at night when i pray

'thanks for him,' i say

you have consumed my life-

my days and my nights

i see you, i smell you

i hear you, i feel you

and i've forgotten already

how i got on without you

for my baby, my love

i wish time to slow down

because i didn't know

how fast you would grow

Good Company

Is it more telling to judge a thing not for the thing that it is,

But rather to judge the thing by the people that are drawn to the thing in question?

Not judging a show by the story or scenes, but by those standing in line.

Nor judging a song by the rhythm or beat, but by those singing along.

Instead of judging a tree by the fruit that in season it doth bare,

Judging the tree by those who partake and partake and partake again.

Do you desire to partake of the fruit of which he or she partook and partook?

Or do you believe ‘their tastes are too plain,’ and thus...try another tree.

What would this method of judging say of the things you hold most dear?

Without saying a word, what would your friends have to say about you?

Could this means of judging things become your guiding star?

Could you find some fellows who’s opinions and actions are true,

And once discovered with watchful eye take note of all they do?

Then be as they be and do what they do and soon enough you’ll find

This simple way of judging things will land you in good company.

One of our fellow members of book club is a songwriter! You can listen to her song, with music, here:

http://marketingwizardsalliance.com/song2.mp3

Ode to Action
by _____________, age 16

Her name was _____, she was rad;
She wanted action really bad.
With anyone, with Steve or Rex,
Some action, please, but never sex.

Her friends would tell her of their kiss
And she would sigh with longing bliss.
O action! she would stand and scream,
It is of you I often dream!

Am I so ugly and so base
That no one wants to suck my face?
And so I am content to yearn
Until, at last, it is my turn.

Change-
It is fall the leaves are turning
Each leafs a new example of change
I am as the tree is clinging
Holding on through the disarray

Yet Spring will bring another life
Green will replace the barreness
Of Winter's cold enduring strife
and all feelings of emptiness

The rain may purify the earth
Depending on your lucky star
For Spring is time for the rebirth
A time to erase all the scars.

Can I keep this summer season
If not so what is the reason?

It should be known that the author of the following poem was NOT drunk or high when the poem was written:

The Lurking Walrus

He surfaces from the depths of the living sea

He bobs romantically on the ocean froth

His blubber convulses hypnotically

Swimmingly, daintily, delicately

Up to little old Moscow two love birds often fly

To spend a couple of joyous years at good old U of I.

'What to do in this little town,' they wonder with a sigh

'We're not sure we'll like it here, but I guess we'd better try.'

Then a spritely chap came walking by with a bounce up in his shoe

And the new arrivals queried him, 'What's there here to do?'

'What to do in Moscow? You really do not know?

Well stand your ground, you're in a town where good times overflow.

'There's Mikey's down on Main Street, not far from Sister's Brew,

Blackberries out in Kendrick and the Lentil Festival too.

'Elk River Falls and the Cedar grove not too far away

You'll pass Spring Valley Reservoir, a perfect place to play.

'There's grizzly bears, apples and pears over at WSU

A bike path Troy to Pullman and wheat fields for a view

'Enjoy your time in this little town once of the name 'Hog Haven'

Cause time is swift, and soon enough your dear friends will be wavin'.'

The following poem is meant to be read to the melody of the song Joyful Joyful

Here is a link to the song, so you can hear how it sounds:

http://popup.lala.com/popup/360569462349429164

Joyful, Joyful, child we adore thee

Child of mercy, laughter and light

Since your birth our arms enfold you

We pledge to love you with all our might

You explore the world around you

Makes us laugh with each new day

Your eyes of wonder, cheeks of laughter

Remind to love more perfectly

God gave children, we see clearly

Hold them tight and keep them near

We’re so grateful for you our baby

We feel lucky you are here.

A tribute to a recently departed celebrity (written not so recently...)

King of Pop

________________MaKe believe.
__________The kitchen Is my stage;
The microwave, my audieNce.
___________Music rinGs

_______Like the climax Of an old
_____________Horror Film.

_____At the peak of my Performance I cry, “Beat it!”
__________My breath fOgging my reflection
_________In the microPhone.

Poems

A tribute to a recently departed celebrity (written not so recently...)

King of Pop

________________MaKe believe.
__________The kitchen Is my stage;
The microwave, my audieNce.
___________Music rinGs

_______Like the climax Of an old
_____________Horror Film.

_____At the peak of my Performance I cry, “Beat it!”
__________My breath fOgging my reflection
_________In the microPhone.

February Book Club

Thanks everyone, for participating in last night's book club. I learned a lot! And a big thank you to April for leading our discussion.

February's book club will be held at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 24th, at Kim's house. Kim's hubby, Dave, will be teaching us about poetry. BYOM (bring your own mug) for steamers.

Your poetry packets will be emailed to you soon! Please read them in advance, and bring them to the meeting.

Also, if you'd like to be entered into a contest for a pre-Valentine's Day dinner, made by Kim, please submit a poem (you can email it to Kim or submit it anonymously in the comments section of the blog) by Wednesday, February 10th. If you win, you'l receive your choice of the following (for the whole family):

Thai Shrimp Soup
Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce

Stuffed Red Peppers
Salad
Spanish Rice

Sausage Won Tons (fried)
Rice

Spicy Chicken & Corn Chowder
Salad
Rolls

Red Pepper Soup (can do totally vegan, if you'd like)
Gourmet Cheese Platter (if I do the soup vegan, I'll assume you don't want cheese)
Salad
Rolls

Roasted Rosemary Chicken with Peaches and Butternut Squash.
Salad
Rolls

Don't be afraid! Pull out your old high school journals and copy down an angsty poem! Or write a new one!

Katie Wins!

Katie R., you're the lucky winner of:
1) An autographed copy of Elizabeth Scott's PERFECT YOU (a well-written YA romance novel with biting dialogue) or
2) Your own copy of FRANKENSTEIN. Did you buy one for book club? If not...
Take your pick and let me know which you'd like! We'll give the other away AT BOOK CLUB (Just one of many reasons to attend, gals. 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, the 27th, at Sisters Brew. April is scheduled to enlighten us.)

More of Frankie

Submitted by Hailey (with help from her husband and inspiration from her friends):

Frankenstein Must Look Like...

You have until Wednesday, the 20th, at midnight (ooo...creepy...midnight...) to send/give Kim your visual representation of Frankenstein's monster. Remember, this needs to be your idea of him/it pre-reading! If you've already read the book, then cast your mind back on the days when you were less enlightened.

The beautiful painting below was done by the lovely Katie R. She's well on her way to a PRIZE, especially since she's the only entrant in our drawing so far! This is not a contest--simply a drawing. The only way you can enter is if you create a monster!


See you Wednesday, January 27th, at SISTER'S BREW COFFEEHOUSE!!!!!!!!!!! Bring a few bucks for a steamer or some cocoa and prepare to learn from the illustrious April, who taught a Frankenstein unit to her students! She knows her stuff! Plus, we're gonna have fun...and probably get more prizes.

Book Club Reminder

Don't forget to read Mary Shelley's FRANKENSTEIN for book club, to be held January 27th at Sister's Brew (corner of Main and 3rd). And don't forget to create your idea of what Frankenstein's monster looks like (see previous post) so you can win a PRIZE!