August meeting recap
Hello All — Mary Fran Reporting
Hello all — Mary Fran reporting on book club last night, because Sonya was unable to make it and we're sending her out happy thoughts and good vibes.
And while this certainly won't be as thorough or entertaining as her recap emails, here goes.....
Special coverage
The Jennifer Report
I got out paper to take notes because I thought it was important that I remember to report that Jennifer did NOT order the Thursday special (as most of the table did), and she did NOT read the book (again, as most of the table did).
And hopefully Jennifer — and you all — realize I'm just messing with her. 😂
We all know that one of our book club rules is you don't have to read the book.
Next meeting
September: The Correspondent
Now for the important upcoming reading info: our book for September is The Correspondent by Virginia Evans. We will meet at one of our favorites, Corfu on St. Rd 434 in Winter Springs. We have also decided to try a new time and will meet at 6 pm instead of 6:30.
Looking ahead
October's Pick
Our book for October is The Things We Leave Unfinished by Rebecca Yarros.
You may be familiar with Rebecca from her wildly popular romantasy novel/series Fourth Wing. This is not romanTASY, but is a romANCE novel.
I've read it and it was very good — it does have a little historical fiction blended in.
Venue report
Mandola's: One and Done
Now to our new restaurant, Mandola's Italian Kitchen in Maitland — I believe this place will be a one and done for us.
Whoever suggested it because it was quiet could not have been more wrong, and the place wasn't even half full. So we spent the evening shouting at each other, and even then weren't able to have our usual enjoyable conversations.
Also, the parking was horrendous, and you had to go up to the counter to order your food. They did bring it out to you, but still — if I'm spending $20 on a meal (just the meal), I want to order it from the comfort of my table.
I will say that the food came out hot, what there was of it (were these lunch portions?), and they were very accommodating, bringing us clean plates and forks to enjoy Laura's cake. But still....
The August read
Cold Zero Check-In
I believe I can say that those who read the book — Cold Zero by Brad Thor — enjoyed it. Can't tell you a lot about that; see the above-referenced loud atmosphere.
We did think it was creative the way they broke up the ice to get the submarine up, and are a little scared to think that the technology in the book might be accessible now or in the near future.
Cold Zero, continued
Nancy's Note
Nancy was fascinated by the disease or ailment (?) that Chen — we think that was his name, the Chinese man — had, because her mother also suffers from the ailment. And a new drug was mentioned that Nancy researched for her mother to possibly use.
Sorry — don't have better notes on that. I believe if you read above, you know why.
The TBR pile
Future Recommendations
The Calamity Club
From the writer of The Help. Several have read it and others would like to read it. We need to keep it on our TBR (To Be Read) because it's still way too popular at the library — I put it on hold last night for a hardback copy and I was 155th. You can get audio and ebooks much sooner.
Theo of Golden
Also recommended! Someone (was it Louisa?) brought a copy to pass on to someone else to read if they wanted.
Yesteryear
One of those books that people either love or hate. Christine and I both have read it — I'm in the hate camp; I think Christine fell somewhere in between, but didn't love it.
The Deb Marlow Mysteries
Jennifer has been enjoying the Deb Marlow Mysteries.
The Determined
Recommended by Christine — about women pirates in the early 1700s, based loosely on true tales. We almost selected it for October, so we want to keep it on the list too. From Goodreads: "A groundbreaking novel of historical fiction based on the real experiences of two of the Golden Age of Pirates' most infamous women, Anne Bonny and Mary Read, who dared to subvert the rules and gender roles of their time."
My Husband's Wife
I recommended this one (great title, huh?). A great thriller, murder mystery, with good snark (you know I love a book with snark). Another book we almost chose.
How the Penguins Saved Veronica
A nice palate cleanser. About an 85-year-old Veronica who goes to Antarctica to visit the penguins... and proves it's never too late to be the person you want to be.
Dessert desk
The Cake Report
I think that's it for the book info.
Laura treated us to another OMG decadent chocolate cake — pictures attached! And she even told us, and I quote...
Overheard at the table
A Promise from Laura
When I retire there will be baked goods every meeting
Laura
Parting skies
After the Storm
It had been a stormy day, and when we hurried out of the restaurant (we couldn't wait to get away fast enough from the noise) — while the storms had passed, there was a beautiful rainbow in the sky.
Is there a pot of books at the end of the rainbow?
For your reading list
Useful Links
Until next month
Happy Reading
Hopefully Sonya will be back with a lovely email next month. Until then, Happy reading.
— Mary Fran
PS: I'm sure I forgot stuff, so those of you who were there, please fill in the gaps.