The Spirit of the Old Book Club

We had a nice chat about our January book pick, The Spirit of the Old Testament. Sue Ann looks like she was falling asleep, but actually the book wasn't that dry. Notice the smile on her face. It's always a good time at our meetings.

The book by Sidney B. Sperry is in the LDS Classic Paperback Library. Most of us read 2-5 chapters as an introduction, but plan on reading sections throughout the year, as it correlates to the Sunday School lessons. It's a scholarly work, but easy to read. There is something in every chapter that helps you connect and get more out of the Old Testament. I'll just share one quote. There is a chapter on LDS views concerning the Bible where the eighth Article of Faith, about believing the Bible is the word of God, as far as it is translated correctly is being discussed. Brigham Young said, "But it is no matter about that. Read it and observe it and it will not hurt any person in the world."

It was Tara's first book club meeting with us. I think she'll come back again. Let me just say that our group doesn't require you to read the book--or read at all. It helps sometimes, but I've often thought that I didn't want to read a selection, and after everyone has discussed it, I decide I do. I've read some books that I didn't even like, until everyone discussed them, and then I realized that I just didn't get it--they were good books. Everyone discussing together gives you insights into the books, life in general, and we get to know about each other.

Next month we will be at Mary Jo's house discussing The Watsons Go To Birmingham-1963. Get reading...or not, you don't have to read....just come and join us.

Thank You Stace!

Thanks to Stacey our blog now has a nice looking background design. Very classy--just like our members. Some of you might be wondering who Stacey is, because she hasn't been attending meetings. That's because she lives in Kansas. She's my step-daughter, and blogger extraordinaire! My computer skills are limited, but I know I can master a basic blog. I just won't mess with the backgrounds and fluffy stuff until I get some private tutoring when Stacey (and family) visit this summer. Even when I've mastered the fluff, we'll still keep Stace in our group. She's a reader and fits right in!

In the Beginning

The beginning was really years and years ago - probably decades ago, but this book group is still going strong. We meet on the third Tuesday of each month to discuss our latest read, usually in someone's living room, kitchen, or out in their yard. There's often a pot luck dinner with fab food, but everyone is welcome even without a dish. We discuss so much more than the book. There's always good laughs, semi-deep discussions, new ideas, updates on things like vacations, new babies, local events, and our lives in general. It takes us a while to get around to the book. (Everyone is welcome even if they didn't read it.) The discussions are always interesting, and if we haven't read the book, we usually want to after the discussion. We learn about authors, places, history, and philosophy. Most of all, as we relate to different ideas and characters, we learn about each other and ourselves. The books we read and times we spend together enrich us, so this blog is started to share and organize some of our books, thoughts, and recipes. (We take field trips too!)

"If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things."