The new books are in

Let the ordering and reading begin. Here's the new list.

January 17
Atonement by Ian McEwan

February 21
Slammerkin by Emma Donoghue

March 20
Slaughterhouse 5 by Kurt Vonnegut

April 17
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

May 15
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

June 19
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

July 17
Life of Pi by Yann Martel

Betty Smith's A Tree Grows In Brooklyn

There are four topics I would like you to look for as you read this month's book. They are:

Economics
Education
Growing up
Love

Make notes (mental or on paper) of these topics as they are discussed throughout the reading.

I'm also sending out invitations to our blog again. Please consider signing up.

The God of Small Things

Anyone else finding this book tough to get into? I'll keep reading, but so far all the characters are just kind of whirling together in my head.

Hi

Neeevermind! Error on my part. Shannon, you did want me to post on here though!

From the newbie

Hello all! I'm frantically trying to finish the book for tomorrow night. I'm halfway there! Unfortunately, work may keep me from joining the discussion. I sure hope not ... this book is really great and I'm looking forward to being able to talk about it with other people that have read it.

WooHoo!

Check out what I found. Quite by accident I might add!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0452694/

I am really looking forward to reading this book. Then I/we can watch the movie and see if they did a decent job with it.

One more thing

How do we feel about suggesting books for next time that we've not read? I have a whole list of books that I want to read, and would be willing to suggest, but that I've never read. I can't speak to whether or not they're any good. Input?

Hey, Slackers!

Why am I the only one to post to this thing? Do I have to take you all out behind the woodshed? My hope was that we would use this as a place to communicate about where we were at in our reading (not including spoilers) and to hit the highlights of the discussion for anyone who wasn't able to attend the meetings. Do we still want to have this thing or am I the only one interested? Comment about whatever else you're reading too. I enjoy seeing what people are reading.

For those of you who actually read this...

In preparation for reading Possession I checked out two books of short stories by A.S. Byatt. The first one that I read The Matisse Stories, was interesting. Definitely a writing style that I haven't read much of since college. But it reads very quickly, and because of my interest in art, I enjoyed it. I don't think it's for everyone though.

Right now I'm reading The Little Black Book of Stories. I was not impressed by the first story. I felt that I had wasted my time reading it. Although, the last paragraph did hold one nugget of interest to me. Last night, I read another story. This one appealed to me much more. Because of it, I will continue reading the book. I don't want to tell you anything about the story in case you decide to read it. Suffice it to say, the ending was unexpected. I think that's what I liked about it. Again, I'm not sure Byatt is for everyone. Anybody started reading Possession yet? I plan on taking it with me on vacation.

Unable to attend tonight?

For those of you not showing up at Amber's tonight (Yes, Vannapha, that means you!), consider posting your thoughts on the book to the blog tomorrow. That way we can all see what you think and respond to it. Also, as fair warning, next month's book, Possession, is a more literary read. You may want to start on it earlier, rather than later. At least this is what I hear from the person who's read the book and someone else in our group that has already started reading it. Just thought I'd let you know.

Great Book!

OK, I know this isn't on our list of the first six months, but I just read it and loved it. Check it out.

http://www.amazon.com/PopCo-Scarlett-Thomas/dp/015603137X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-7661045-5205507?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1180447562&sr=8-1

One of the books listed in the additional reading is by Ahrundhati Roy.

Sort of bad news

Well all, I have a bit of bad news. I was at the library last night getting a few books. Yeah, I know. I can't resist. Anyway, I have checked out the copy that the Public Library has of "Little Lady Agency". I got it to show it off at our first meeting. Well, our newest member, Andrea, came in to get a library card and to try and find that book. I was talking to the librarian about getting a copy for her on Inter Library Loan. Turns out that if the public library owns the book, they can't get it on loan from another library. So, I checked out "Possession" and will try to read it on my trip to Texas next week. Then, I went online and ordered copies of all six books from Amazon. I got them all used and spent no more than $25 including shipping. Seems pretty affordable. The other option is to read early and make notes. Just wanted to let everyone else know.

Recipe

For all of those in attendance last night (and for those who weren't, but are interested), here's the recipe for the dip I served.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Two-Layer-Greek-Dip/Detail.aspx

Two Layer Greek Dip
SUBMITTED BY: REDNEKKCHIKK"This two layer dip is perfect for almost any occasion! Easy to prepare, easy to customize, and absolutely delicious with either pita bread or tortilla chips. The creamy mixture should be allowed to sit for a few hours minimum to let the flavors blend, overnight is ideal."

Original recipe yield:10 servings
PREP TIME
20 Min
READY IN
3 Hrs 20 Min
US
METRIC
SERVINGS About scaling and conversions
INGREDIENTS
2 (8 ounce) containers plain yogurt
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (8 ounce) package feta cheese, drained and crumbled
3 cloves garlic, crushed
salt and pepper to taste
1 English cucumber, peeled and diced
5 roma (plum) tomatoes, seeded and chopped
5 green onions, chopped
1 (4 ounce) can sliced black olives
black pepper to taste
pita bread rounds, cut into triangles
DIRECTIONS
In a bowl, stir together the yogurt, softened cream cheese, feta cheese, garlic, and salt and pepper to taste; mix until smooth.
Spread mixture into a shallow serving or baking dish. Cover, and refrigerate for 3 hours, or overnight.
To serve, scatter cucumber, tomatoes, green onion, and sliced olives on top, and season with pepper as desired. Spoon onto pita wedges.
READ REVIEWS (11)
REVIEW/RATE THIS RECIPE
SAVE TO RECIPE BOX
ADD TO SHOPPING LIST
ADD A PERSONAL NOTE
POST A RECIPE PHOTO
POST A FAVORITE FOODS LIST
CREATE A MENU
NUTRITION INFORMATION
Servings Per Recipe: 10
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 270
Total Fat: 15g
Cholesterol: 48mg
Sodium: 720mg
Total Carbs: 23.9g
Dietary Fiber: 1.7g
Protein: 10.5g
VIEW DETAILED NUTRITION
About: Nutrition Info
Powered by: ESHA Nutrient Database

WELCOME ALL!

Hello all. Welcome to the Brookings Book Group (hey, I had to call it something for the time being!). Here's the pertinent info.

June 21st
The Little Lady Agency
by Hester Browne

July 19th
Posession
by A.S. Byatt

August 16th
She's Come Undone
by Wally Lamb

September 20th
The Time Traveler's Wife
by Audrey Niffenegger

October 18th
The God of Small Things
by Arundhati Roy

November 8th
A Tree Grows In Brooklyn
by Betty Smith

We meet the third Thursday of every month...except November. You know, that pesky Thanksgiving deal. I propose 7 pm as the start time and 9 as the end time, but I'm open to suggestion.

This blog can be used for book talk purposes (please note if you are including a spoiler) or just to keep in touch between meetings. I would hope that we would all become a community that would love to keep in touch. Oh my gosh, that's so cheesy. Check the email addresses you supplied for further information. Don't want to put info out there that people don't want advertised!