August Meeting

It's a potluck get-together in Kay's beautiful backyard on Tuesday, August 16th.  We start the potlucks at 6:30.  This is the last one of the year.  Come whether you have something to share or not.  There's always plenty. 

Our book is the NAZI Officer's WIFE by Edith Hahn Beer, with Susan Dworkin.  This is a remarkable memoir of a Holocaust survivor.  We'll have a lot to discuss about courage, choices, survival, and heritage.  Thankfully, despite the risk it posed to her life, Edith saved every document she had, as well as photographs she took inside labor camps.  These are now part of the collection at the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., and some are included in the book.  They have also filmed an A&E Special Presentation about the memoir, so if you don't have time to read the book, you can Netflicks it.

Just Some Ideas

A lot of us have been reading this summer, but too busy to make it to Book Group.  Hopefully everyone is keeping track of the books that they’ve especially enjoyed.  Anyone can meet with us to select the books 2012.  In the past Sue Ann, Lyn, Kay, Pam and I have chosen our titles.  We’d really like to get input from everyone, especially from some who are younger than us (below 50!).  We’ll take suggestions at any time, the sooner the better because we like to have someone read them through before January to make sure they fit our RS standards.

Lyn brought up an idea at our last meeting about having a yearly theme.  Some book groups have done this and have been able to delve more deeply into a subject.  They can choose fiction, nonfiction, church books, young readers, or just about any genre like we do now.   This year we’ve had a few books that deal with family history, and we have three coming up that deal with Jews and Germany in WWII.  We could have chosen one of those topics as a theme.  You can also keep it very broad and have a theme of relationships, America, or serving others.  Let’s think about it.

If you have any ideas for themes, books, or something different to do at our meetings, just leave a comment, E-mail anyone in the group, or just talk to us at church.  This book group has been going for decades.  We want it to get better and better.

July Update

Our July meeting was held in Dawnee’s  enchanted garden – a perfect place to curl up on a glider and read.  I hadn’t read the book, and had a hard time staying tuned in to the discussion because I was just looking around the garden and rocking in the shade.  We discussed Emily of New Moon, from the same author that wrote Anne of Green Gables, L.M.Montgomery.  This book was suppose to be more autobiographical.  Lyn liked it more, but Stephanie, who is the Anne of Green Gables #1 fan, didn’t like it near as well.  This book was written in the 1920s (I think) and we discussed how it was a harder read because of the detailed descriptions and just slower flow.  We wondered how many readers now days can stick with the Jane Austen type writing, or Dickens.  Pam mentioned that at a writing workshop she attended, they said to have a book published it needs to start with action on the first page (or first paragraph) and there needs to be action on every third page.  This is the Harry Potter generation.  Many of us can just convert to Dawnee’s philosophy – Netflicks.  She watched Emily of New Moon and August’s selection, The Nazi Officer’s Wife.  It would be nice to be ahead of the game.  It seems I’ve been reading too many selections after the meetings this year.

June Update–Late

We met at Dani’s house (formerly Shelly’s house) for our June, potluck meeting.  First of all, we need some people to post recipes.  There were some good salads and desserts.  I really can’t remember what exactly, but I do remember I brought watermelon or cantaloupe.  You won’t need a recipe for that.  If you can’t figure out how to join the blog or post, I can help you out, or you can e-mail me information or recipes and I’ll make sure they get on here sooner or later.  By the way, I’m taking a blog lesson and I hope to add a page to this blog where we can put all the recipes in a “potluck” section, and keep the main page for books.

Thank you Dani for your hospitality.  We love your house.  We also welcomed a new friend at this meeting, Marcelle M.  She couldn’t stay long, but we look forward to getting to know her better and to hear her thoughts.

The book we discussed was The Forgotten Garden.  It was a favorite of some, and others had some issues with the character or a few pieces that didn’t seem real plausible.  We had a great discussion on who we really are, and how important heredity, environment, and family are to each of us.  I liked Lyn’s thoughts on how important bloodlines are in the scriptures, and how she use to think that it was a vengeful God that would visit the sins of the fathers upon three or four generations.  She later thought how it might not be God’s vengeance, but more just the human condition, where we tend to do things the way our parents did things and those traditions and philosophies are handed down through the generations.

I was in the favorite camp with this book.  I liked the writing especially the “Dickens” parts and the fairy tales.  I also like several of the characters and the jumping around through the century to fill in clues about the mystery.  Sue Ann liked the book and has read others by this author.  She doesn’t recommend the other books though because they always deal with some tragedy.

Summer Reading for 5th Graders and Up

I'm half way through the GIRL WHO COULD FLY by victoria forester, and I think I'll be recommending this book when I get to the end.  Here's what Stephenie Meyer (The Twilight Saga author) wrote as a review:
"It's the oddest/sweetest mix of Little House on the Prairie and X-Men.  I was smiling the whole time (except for the part where I cried).  Prepare to have your heart warmed."  How can you resist reading it.  I'll let you know if you should in a couple weeks.

The Wilder Life

Here's a book that I'm interested in reading.
The Wilder Life by Wendy McClure, nonfiction

Like many women, McClure grew up loving the Little House on the Prairie books.  In adulthood, her adoration blossomed into all-out obsession.  This book details her often comical quest to connect with the spirit of Laura Ingalls Wilder as she travels to the author's homesteads and tackles pioneer tasks like churning butter.  By journey's end, she's discovered the authentic beauty in Wilder's far-from-storybook real life.

Wouldn't it be fun to go on a book club field trip to the author's homesteads.  I think there's a Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum somewhere close to the banks of Plum Creek in Minnesota.  We could stop and pick up LuRene.  Our trip might be comical too, but with all the pioneer stock in our book club, we wouldn't find churning butter all that hard.

Three Cups of Tea Update

Some of you probably read the article in the Statesman on Saturday, May 7th.  I found it irritating.  Here it is in part:

Two Montana legislators sue Three Cups of Tea author.  They claim they were duped into buying the best-selling book and donating to his charity based on lies.  The complaint, which tells only one side of a legal argument, alleges Mortenson and CAI (Central Asia Institute) induced state Rep. Michele Reinhart of Missoula to buy the book and Rep. Jean Price of Great Falls to donate to the charity.  Reinhart and Price claim Mortenson and the charity engaged in fraud, deceit, breach of contract and recketeering under a statute normally used for prosecuting mobsters.

The Democratic legislators are seeking class-action status, saying the lawsuit potentially could be joined by millions of people who bought Mortenson's books, heard his speeches or donated to his charity.

Reinhart heard Mortenson speak at the University of Montana in 2007 and bought Three Cups of Tea in 2009.  Price heard a presentation by Mortenson or CAI in Great Falls in 2009 and made a donation "relying on the truthfulness of his statements," according to the complaint.

Not only am I irritated, but I think Montana may have legislators that are even lamer than some of ours.  I'm just saying.

Three Cups of Tea in April

I had hoped to have my furniture rearranged before book group last week.  I didn't, but I should have.  We had a great turn out and it was cozy at my house.  Thanks to 60 minutes for its timely attack on our author, we had a lot to discuss.  Many, many thanks to Kay's daughter-in-law who came and shared her experiences reading this book with a class of fourth graders, and participating in Pennies for Peace. 

The book is one that changes lives.  It's astounding to see what one person or small things like pennies can do.  The fourth graders at a low socio-economic school were able to buy uniforms, books, and supplies for 8 students for a year, plus extra pennies that would buy pencils and erasers.  Every one of us can contribute in some way , to some thing, and accomplish great things. 

This book also made us think more globally, with respect for different cultures.  I wanted to learn more about more places and people.  I was also impressed with the points made in the book where education was key, but more specifically, the education of girls and how women are the power of change in their villages and countries.  What Relief Society school teacher wouldn't love this?  Go Girl Power!   

Short Announcements

After our book group last week, I ended up with Tara's Three Cups of Tea book, and mine is missing, and someone in the last group to leave dropped a $5 bill on my floor.  We also need Mary Jo's recipe for the layered brownie/chocolate chip cookie yummy, and we're still waiting for a couple more recipes from our March potluck.  

Moving to Alice

For those that have been in our book group for a few years, you'll remember reading A Town Like Alice.  Our school counselor is moving to Alice, Austrailia this summer.  Her husband has a job with the government and will be overseeing a group of engineers for the next two years.  She says they now have a K-Mart in Alice, but that's about the highlight.  It's still far, far, away from everywhere.  It will be fun staying in touch with her and seeing pictures of the town.  Maybe she'll write her own book - or maybe a blog.

Three Cups of Tea Controversy

Pam asked if we would be discussing this at book group tomorrow.  I haven't watch 60 Minutes for years, but I should have last night.  I searched on the internet tonight and there are pages and pages of articles, blogs, and comments.  You can read a transcript of the 60 Minutes piece too.  It is going to put a whole new spin on our discussion, and those of you that regularly attend realize that our discussions often spin in crazy, wandering, directions.  If you just want a little background, here's a link to a newspaper article in the Bozeman paper where Greg Mortenson lives.

Mortenson Under Fire from 60 Minutes

150 Years Ago

It's been 150 years since the beginning of the Civil War.  I think we'll see a lot about the war and Abraham Lincoln for the next 5 years.  It might be good to focus our reading on the topic one month next year.  Maybe this year we could do some reading, and have some books to recommend for next year's list.

Periodic Tales

I saw a book review in the Statesman that I thought would be interesting.  Hugh Aldersey-Williams has been trying to collect pure samples of every element known to humankind.  He wants to see and feel the elements that otherwise seem to exist only as abbreviations on the periodic table.  He shares his passion with his latest book Periodic Tales:  A Cultural History of the Elements, From Arsenic to Zinc.  

Few people give elements a second thought outside of chemistry class, but each one has an interesting story.   The quest for gold drove some cultures to explore the world, while other cultures dismissed it as useless, and Chlorine changed the way nations waged war.  Aldersey-Williams writes about how each element was discovered, explains its place in human history and describes the cultural changes it wrought.  Readers don't need a strong science background to appreciate the stories.

I don't read a lot of nonfiction, but this interests me.  It's described as a charming look at the building blocks that are all around us; told with simplicity and elegance.  (Just a little review, in case anyone is interested.) 

Chicken Stuffed Shells from Elayne

 (From our March potluck)

16 lg pasta shells
1 cup diced chicken(cooked)
1cup diced cheddar cheese

sauce:
1 cube butter
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 8oz cream cheese
1 envelope Italian dressing(dry)

Cook pasta as directed. Drain and rinse. Combine sauce ingredients in medium bowl; microwave stirring every 1-2 minutes until smooth. Set aside.  Spray 9X13 glass baking dish with vegetable spray. Combine chicken, cheese and half of sauce, fill pasta shells and place in dish. Top with remaining sauce. Bake at 350 for 30-45 min until bubbly.

Put It On Your Calendar

Our next meeting is on April 18th, at 7:00, at Judy's house - 876 E. Wright Street.  Lyn and Judy will be the discussion leaders, and the treats will be great because Mary Jo is bringing them.  (By the way, I'm going to start hounding people for their recipes from our potluck in March.  We need to get them posted.) 

Our book is Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. 

Two Related Books

For those of you who have extra reading time, there are two more books that relate to our April selection, Three Cups of Tea.  I haven't read either of them, but they are both highly recommended.  I'll put the Amazon links here so that you can read the reviews.

The first is The Dressmaker of Khair Khana:  Five Sisters, One Remarkable Family, and the Woman Who Risked Everything to Keep Them Safe by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon.    The Dressmaker of Khair Khana tells the incredible true story of this unlikely entrepreneur who mobilized her community under the Taliban. Former ABC News reporter Gayle Tzemach Lemmon spent years on the ground reporting Kamila's story.  These women are not victims; they are the glue that holds families together; they are the backbone and the heart of their nation.  This book moves beyond the headlines to transport you to an Afghanistan you have never seen before. This is a story of war, but it is also a story of sisterhood and resilience in the face of despair. Kamila Sidiqi's journey will inspire you, but it will also change the way you think about one of the most important political and humanitarian issues of our time.

The second book is also set in the Himalayan Mountains, but on the other side of India in the country of Nepal.  Little Princes:  One Man's Promise to Bring Home the Lost Children of Nepal by Conor Grennan tells the story of an adventurer who begins a year long trip volunteering in an orphanage where he is stunned to find out that the children were not orphans at all.  Child traffickers were promising families in remote villages to protect their children from the civil war—for a huge fee—by taking them to safety. They would then abandon the children far from home, in the chaos of Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu.  For Conor, what began as a footloose adventure becomes a commitment to reunite the children he had grown to love with their families, but this would be no small task. Little Princes is a true story of families and children, and what one person is capable of when faced with seemingly insurmountable odds. At turns tragic, joyful, and hilarious, Little Princes is a testament to the power of faith and the ability of love to carry us beyond our wildest expectations.

The Tale of Holly How

I've been reading ahead of the book group.  Our November selection is a mystery from a series call The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter.  I love Beatrix Potter and English cottages.  I've decided to spend a good deal of my summer reading this series, out on a patio swing, with lemonade, and maybe even cucumber sandwiches.  It's like a cross between the books of James Herriot and The First Ladies Detective Agency in Botswana.  The animals talk and help solve the mysteries and it works.  I've been delighted.

We were watching the basketball tournament this week and one of the teams were the badgers - maybe Wisconsin.  I've always thought of badgers as being mean and stinky, but now that I've read about Bosworth Badger, I really like them.  Bosworth keeps the history and genealogy of the badgers.  He has a beautiful library in The Brockery.  I like him better than Professor Galileo Newton Owl, and I've always loved owls.

This morning I was reading a chapter that started at breakfast in The Brockery.  There are a variety of animals at the table since the badgers take in permanent and temporary lodgers.  They were all rested and full of exuberant energy and interesting plans for the day--always a wonderful day, because animals rarely worry or imagine the worst of what is to come, as people do.  They are generally planning a picnic, or a foraging expedition, or just loafing on a quiet river bank.  I thought wouldn't it be great to have toast and marmalade with them.  What a way to start the day.

It Will Change Your Life

The selection for April is Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson with David Oliver Relin.  The writing is not the best - a little wordy and drawn out - but it is a book that will change your life.  It is the true story of one man's mission to promote peace, one school at a time.  If this version is too slow for you, there is an edition written for middle school students, a condensed version.  (There is also a picture book.)  Many schools or classrooms are reading this book as a project, and raising funds to help build schools.  If you're not hooked yet, here are a couple quotes from the back of the book:

"Here (in Pakistan and Afghanistan), we drink three cups of tea to do business; the first you are a stranger, the second you become a friend, and the third, you join our family, and for our family we are prepared to do anythin--even die." --Haji Ali, Korphe Village Chief

The astonishing, uplifting story of a real-life Indiana Jones and his remarkable humanitarian campaign in the Taliban's backyard.

You can also go to www.threecupsoftea.com

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

Everyone loved our March selection, a debut novel by a western author.  The title was perfect for this bitter sweet story.  The basement of the real Panama Hotel in Seattle was a place where many Japanese families stored their belongings before they were taken to internment camps during WWII.  During renovations in 1986, an older Chinese man searches through the storage to find a jazz album and other belongings of his lost love.  There were so many things to discuss:  patriotism, China/Japan relations, prejudices, father/son relations, first loves, forbidden love, cafeteria ladies, friendship, loyalty, WWII, Minidoka, traditions....and more.  Here's a quote from a reviewer that I liked:

Ford expertly nails the sweet innocence of first love, the cruelty of racism, the blindness of patriotism, the astonishing unknowns between parents and their children, and the sadness and satisfaction at the end of a life well lived.

Besides a great book, the potluck was pretty yummy too.  I'll be bugging people for their recipes - chicken salad, pasta salad, big shell caserole - mmm mmm good!

Announcing the Last Two

We've had a couple holes in our reading schedule this year.  It's about time to announce our final two selections.  On May 17th we'll be discussing the book that was given to RS sisters as a Christmas gift last year, What a Friend We Have in Jesus by Chieko Okazaki.  There should be plenty around the ward to borrow if you don't have a copy.  In November we'll read the first book in a YA mystery series (The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter), The Tale of Hilltop Farm by Susan Wittig Albert.  You can find out more at cottagetales.com.

Interesting Read

I'm just finishing (finally) our own Anna Marie Davis' book that she wrote while on her mission.  It's called Missionaries and Mental Health - The Blessings of Service.  We have it on our reading list for July, and I'll bring this copy to our meeting on Tuesday, it anyone wants to get started.  It's easy to read and we all know the Mormon culture, so it's very interesting to see behind the scenes of a missionary's life and struggles.  I think if I had actually served a mission, it would be even more insightful.  I do know that it would be good for us to change our judgements concerning missionaries that return home early, or concerning those young men that don't go. 

Potluck!

Our next meeting on March 15th will be a potluck!  Besides getting your dish ready, get your recipe ready too.  We share all the recipes on this blog.  Eating and reading, two of my favorite things.  I'm getting excited.

In the News

There was an article in the Sunday Statesman that related to our selection next month.  Here it is:
Idaho internment camp site gets additional land
MINIDOKA - The Minidoka National Historic Site where thoughsands of Japanese Americans were confined during World War II will add 138 acres to its current 300 acres.
      The Conservation Fund purchased the property in 2008 from a private owner and held it until recent U.S. legislation allowed the National Park Service to buy the land late last year for $380,000.
     Saturday marked the 69th anniversary of the order for forced relocation and incarceration of Japanese-Americans.

We've Got Something to Talk About

March Selection

Our selection for March is the well-named book Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, by Jamie Ford.  We are going to have the best discussion!  There is so much to talk about; parent/child relationships, Chinese/Japanese cultures and relationships, the culture of the early '40s, the home front during WWII, Seattle, the Minidoka internment camp, friendships, love, and jazz.  This book isn't a page-turner, but it's thoughtful, well written, smooth, and a fascinating story.  The narrative jumps back and forth between the war years and 1986.  The writing, the story, and the cast of characters remind me of jazz music - lots of interesting sounds and rhythms that somehow blend together smoothly.  I think you'll like this book.  I know you'll like our discussion.
Tuesday, March 15th
Elaine Soto's home
6:30 - Potluck

February's Fine Discussion

On February 15th the book group sent some left-over Valentine love to Leslie Albrecht Huber and her book The Journey Takers.  We wished Lyn was there to hear Melissa sing the praises of this book choice.  We were few in numbers (6), so I wanted to get the word out that this is a book that you'll not only want to read, but also own.  This is the amazing Leslie Huber's well written story of her search through her family history, while raising a family of her own.  It's also the touching stories of her ancestors that journeyed to America.  Her lines have been taken even farther back, and we travel with her to the places that they lived and learn the history of the area which fills in so much of their stories.

I'm going through something right now that keeps pointing me to the importance of family history and this book has changed me.  I haven't even finished reading it because I've lent my copy out, but I can see by studying places and history, I'll be able to put "the stories" behind the names I find, even if they didn't leave a journal.  I'm motivated to start the work!  Thanks to Kay for hosting.  Her living room is beautiful and I think the comfy ottoman makes a beautiful design statement.  If you weren't there, you missed a great discussion and all-you-can-eat Valentine cookies.  Don't miss reading this book though.  It's a keeper.

Zippy

I said I'd post a review on this book, but haven't had time until now.  I'll bring it to our get-together on Tuesday in case any of you want to borrow it, and if you haven't read it, you should be anxious to get your hands on a copy.   

A Girl Named Zippy by Haven Kimmel, is a memoir of a girl growing up in Mooreland, Indiana, in the 1960s.  Zippy, the narrator, is irreverent, imaginative, hyperactive, wise, and witty.  One of my favorite parts was when her mean older sister tells her she's adopted and she goes in to consult her mom about it.  Her mom doesn't skip a beat.  She has a detailed story about her real parents being gypsies, and how she was born with a tail, which they had removed so that she wouldn't be made fun of at school.  The story makes sense to Zippy; it explains a lot of things in her mind, and she likes having gypsy blood.  It's probably a year later before she discovers that something about the story doesn't add up.

This book is full of philosophy, religion, animal stories, friendships, and growing up in small-town America.  It's really a very crazy book, and the craziest thing is that you share in some of the memories, and you know people like that - they might even be related to you.

Coming Soon

We're meeting at Kay's house to discuss The Journey Takers on Tuesday, the 15th, at 7:00.  Melissa will be the discussion leader and Tara will be giving us a preview of the April selection, Three Cups of Tea.  Come and join us, whether you've read the book or not.

February's Book

I've only read the first 2 chapters, but I really like The Journey Takers.  I learned of the Thirty Years' War and Napoleon's march through this area in Germany.  Who knew that part of his legacy to the area was more lenient divorce laws?  And what was divorce like back then?  I like that with the few church records that can be found, and knowing the history of a specific location, you can put together what life was probably like for your ancestors.

I've always liked history and this book makes me want to study the history of the places where my people are from.  By knowing that history, you know your ancestors better.  It makes me want to do family history, record my parent's history, travel, and keep a journal.  Of course I'd have to learn another language or two, and the travel isn't really working with my bank account just now, but this book is motivating me, and some of this stuff I can do now.

Vote

Actually, we're too late to vote, but I think we should have our own vote for next year's Big Read book.  There's a list of 23 books to choose from.  I've only read 4 of them, feel bad that I haven't read 3 of them, and haven't heard of 11of them!  I'd like to hear something about those 11 from my RS reader friends.  Here's the list:

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya
The Bridge of San Luis Rey and Our Town by Thornton Wilder
The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Leo Tolstoy
The Great Gatsby by F. ScottFitzgerald
The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers
In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez
The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest Gaines
Love Medicine by Louise Erdrich
Old School by Tobias Wolff
Poetry of Emily Dickinson
Poetry of Robinson Jeffers
Poetry of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
The Shawl by Cynthia Ozick
Stories and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe
Sun, Stone, and Shadows by Jorge Hernandez
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
The Thief and the Dogs by Naguib Mahfouz
The Tings They Carried by Tim O'Brien
Washington Square by Henry James
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin

BYU Magazine Agrees

Our BYU magazine came a couple days ago and in the Book Nook, written by an emeritus English professor, I found our February book selection.  He wrote, "The Journey Takers is family history at its best.  Leslie Albrecht Huber (BA '98) transforms a buried past into a living present by following her journeying ancestors as they left their homes in Germany, Sweden, and England to travel to Zion in the American West."  I'm excited because I think we're on the cutting edge with our selection.  I ordered mine from Amazon tonight.  Melissa, I'm letting you read it first, because I'm still way behind on my reading.  (You can also borrow my copy of Call of the Wild which I'm still not reading too.)  I loved the discussion last month.  For those that weren't there, we had a lot to think about as we compared our husbands to Buck and the other dogs.  Then we had fabulous muffins, and Melissa should post her recipe on this blog.  There are only 3 ingredients.  I do regret not taking my camera, because there was a perfect photo op with Kris and Harley (or Harvey?).

You've Got to Read It

Readers, teachers, parents, lovers of books...
You've got to read this post from one of our long distance book group members.
Party Upstairs

Why Are We Reading That?!

This book group has been in existence for at least a couple decades. Thanks to Sue Ann, we're now more organized and have a year-long reading list. The last few years the selection committee has been Sue Ann, Kay, Lyn, Judy, and I think Pam put her two cents worth in too. Anyone is welcome to join the selection group. We are always open to recommendations and try to have at least one evening each year where we can share books that we've enjoyed. We'd also like to use this blog for that purpose.

When we meet to select books for the year, we try to find books from all different genres. We also try to preread all the books with RS standards in mind. You know how you watch a movie and think it's great, then when a friend asks if there was anything in it that wouldn't be inappropriate for a youth, and you have to rack your brain for any innuendo, or violence, or comment that might have been fine for you and your friends, but not for the youth? Sometimes you have to watch the movie again with special sensors. That's what we do with our book list. Someone has usually already read the book and liked it, but then we have to put it through the RS sensors. In the past there have been a few slip-ups. Most recently we read The Maltease Falcon along with the rest of Boise. Many of us loved the book and the writing, but the language was rough and probably not in line with "out of the best books" from the Doctrine in Covenants. In years past we used Terry Stoddard as our censor guide. We wanted to pick books that we would all feel comfortable discussing with her. (Then just before they moved, Terry confessed to liking a little hot romance.)

Some of you may wonder why your favorite books don't ever make the list. (See the previous paragraph.) For me, one of my favorites is The Kite Runner. It won't ever make it through our RS sensors, but it's still a book I'd recommend to all of you - just not as a RS book. We can use this blog for recommendations and reviews of books that won't ever make the RS list, but are still worthwhile. I guess we just want to error on the side of squeaky clean whenever possible. There are sooooo many good books to read. We should be able to find 11 books a year that fall into the "out of the best books" category without reading only church books.

This year we chose two books, A Girl Named Zippy and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, that we read or reread and found that we didn't feel good about putting them on the list. I'm not sure what the issue was with The Immortal Life (check with Lyn), but I reread A Girl Named Zippy and in the end had to veto it. It's a delightful book; a memoir of a young girl in 1965. It brought back memories and made me laugh out loud many times. I hope you all read it. I'll write a review about it later, and lend anyone my copy. I kept telling myself that the few swear words were okay, but then there were a few more, and a few more (less than 10 in the whole book), and a crude remark, and finally I just didn't want the responsibility of putting it on the list. I thought there would be a squeaky clean RS book that could take it's place. (I still want everyone to read it though.)

Confession

I have a paperback copy of Call of the Wild and White Fang. Call of the Wild is only 67 pages. I don't like it. I've read the first two chapters and it's harsh, brutal. I started chapter three, The Dominant Primordial Beast, and I don't think I'm going to finish it. I skipped to the last chapter and read that so I know how it ends. Maybe after the discussion and some of the community events I might decide the writing is worth it. I'm going to give White Fang a go. I read the first chapter last year when Ty had left it on the kitchen counter. Kay remembers it as kind of a love story, sort of. I think that will work better for me.

Big Read Boise and Beyond

Here's a little information from the Statesman:

Kickoff: Answer The Call of the Wild, 10-11a.m. Friday, Jan. 14, Morris Hill Dog Park, 10 Roosevelt Street. People and dogs are invited to gather as Mayor Bieter and Dan Popkey officially em"bark" on a celebration kicking off the 2011 Big Read.

Library book discussion, noon to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18, Boise Public Library Ustick Branch.

Wolf: The Lives of Jack London, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19, Boise Public Library, Capitol Blvd. Keynote James Haley, author of Wolf: The Lives of Jack London, introduces us to one of the most compelling novelists of the 20th century.

Family Film Fun, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, Boise Library Ustick branch will be screening a new animated adventure featuring two wolves who are set free in an Idaho park. (570-6900)

New Year - New List - Two Resolutions

It's 2011. We have a new reading list with something of everybody. I resolve to post on this blog past my record last year which was April. I further resolve to get others involved in posting on this blog. That will help bring to pass the success of the first resolution. And besides, it will make the blog more interesting and fun.

See the sidebar for the complete list of book selections for this year. I'm hoping I can figure out how to put all the books on the Shelfari widget. I've done it twice before, but it's always a puzzle. You'd think that I could just delete the old books and put new ones on the shelf, but that is beyond me. I have to delete the widget, then figure out how to get it again, then find the books, then figure out how to make the size fit. That's my weekend project - build a widget bookshelf.