Satisfying series

By Laura Sullivan

Have you ever finished a book and felt like you left a friend behind? I have. I still remember reading Les Miserables by Victor Hugo one summer on the train every day. It is such a large book! As a voracious reader as I was, and still am, it took me six weeks to finish. I read on the T, at my lunch hour, at night. (I really got out a lot…) I can still feel how it was to close that last page and just hold it on the way home. We were done, Jean Val Jean and me. What book in the world can you go to after you've finished a book like that?

The above scenario is why reading a series is so satisfying. No mourning and wondering what you will possibly read next- there's something in line to take its place and continue the story. Until the end of course- it's hard, but you will recover. Many series are written for young adults, or by mystery writers. The young adult should be "young at heart." A good story is a good story, no matter the intended market. Young adult books don’t mean have teeny bopper themes, or that the writing is sub-par; they often have content that is appropriate for a young adult audience. Think of them as PG books. Okay, enough convincing- here are some of my favorites:

Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder

I read this series three times; once when I was a kid, once to my older two children, and once to my younger two boys. Find someone to tread this series to- just 15 minutes a night and you'll be through it in a year. So many discussions along the way!

Harry Potter, by JK Rowling

What can I say? I didn't dress up like my 43 year old sister in law when the books came out (her daughters haven't even read them!) but I did attend the midnight release party of the final installment at Westwind's and finished the 800 plus page book two days later.

The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins

I usually really hate post apocalyptic literature, but I had to read the first book for book club, and I'm so glad I did! Books two and three followed soon after, and when I was done, I passed them to my husband, who read all three as voraciously as I did.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians, by Rick Riordian

I am still reading the latest of this series to my nine year old. I so try not to read ahead after he goes to bed…

Chains and Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson

These books are Revolutionary War diary stories of a slave girl trying to find her sister. It is gripping, and the cliffhangers would put any soap opera to shame.

These are only a very few of what's out there- my son Ben loves spy books- the Alex Rider series and the CHERUB series. The point is, there are so, so many to choose from. Ask your local bookstore owner for some guidance. I'm sure they will talk your ear off, as I have!

Food writing!

by Laura Sullivan

It's October now, and although we had a lovely 80 degree Indian summer weekend, it is generally getting cooler. With the cooler days, we are more apt to sitting in a cushy chair with a blanket and a book, than lounging in the hammock with one. It is also the time of year to hunker down and cook good food. Coincidentally, it is also when the farmers markets offer their best - apples, pumpkins, squashes kale, and cider doughnuts.

Our farmer's market here in Duxbury is so bucolic, everything looks so fresh and good! I tend to get overly ambitious and buy too much. I can’t help it- it's like when I wake up in the morning with the best intentions of my day: oatmeal for breakfast, roast kale chips in the oven for a snack, and bread and soup for dinner. (My husband makes fun of my "hearty food" days, but he seriously benefits from it, too.) No one wakes up in the morning and thinks, "Today's the day I'm going to let that cabbage that I bought wilt in the fridge for one more day then finally throw it out. And because it's bad, I am going to stick some frozen pizza in the oven, because, oh well, that's all I have."

If you can’t get to the farmer's market (poor you), this is where you will get, and hopefully, keep inspiration for eating well during the long winter days ahead: food books. Cook books, journals, food history books, reviewer's reminisces-all of the above. When I read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, by Barbara Kingsolver, I bought a sprouting jar and I still use it- especially in the cold months when my garden is frozen over. Her story is the year in the life of her family on their small farm in Virginia. They took the full year to live off their own land, and to eat as locally as possible. It's informative, not too preachy, with some good recipes thrown in.

There are so many books like this to choose from- pick what you are interested in, and something that reads like a story. Michael Pollan's Omnivore's Dilemma is more of a history of food. Well researched and written, it will have you thinking about why you eat what you eat, and the shape of your teeth and why they are how they are…

Dr. Andrew Weil's Eating Well for Optimum Health is more of a health centric book. He's a health nut who's a little chubby himself, a good indication to me of someone who likes food. It is a guide to good health and way of eating that you will enjoy, not suffer through.

The above books are not just browsing books, but full on reading books. If this kind is not your cup of tea, get a cup of tea, and sit down with a stack of cookbooks to leaf through and gather some new ideas for the well-intentioned kale languishing in your fridge. There are also so many beautiful cookbooks that I couldn't possibly mention them all, so I will name a few. Gwyneth Paltrow's My Father's Daughter, anything by Ina Garten, and the Silver Palette books are some of my personal favorites. Don’t tell the folks at Westwinds, but what I like to do is get cookbooks from the library, take them home, and try them out. Once I've found one that's a keeper, I return the library book, and buy my own copy. I have done it with every book I've listed above.

It's getting chilly here at the computer, and I have a southern cookbook open on the counter with a chicken in the fridge waiting to be cooked, and to be joined by the sweet potato salad I've already made (because it's cool, but still warm enough for a salad.)  After I type these recipes for you, I will go cook that pullet.

Roasted Sweet Potato Salad

5 large sweet potatoes

3 c. arugula

6 chopped scallions or 1/2 cooked Vidalia onions

2/3 c. craisins

1/2 c. toasted chopped pecans

Dressing

1/4 c. olive oil

2 tbsp real maple syrup

2 tbsp apple cider

2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

1 tbsp lemon juice

1 tbsp grated fresh ginger (optional)

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

Peel and cube sweet potatoes into bite sized pieces. Toss with a little olive oil, kosher salt and pepper, and roast at 400 degrees for 30 minutes, turning on the pan every 10 minutes. Whisk dressing ingredients together. Toast pecans. Let the sweet potatoes cool, then toss all ingredients together in a pretty bowl.

Roast Chicken with Cider and Molasses

5-8 lb roasting chicken

1 c. apple cider

1/2 c molasses

1/2 c. cider vinegar

1/2 c. chopped mixed fresh herbs- tarragon, rosemary, basil, oregano, parsley

1 tbsp butter

1 tbsp olive oil

2 sweet onions, sliced

12 cloves peeled garlic cloves

1 c. chicken stock

salt & pepper to taste

Place cider in saucepan over medium low heat and reduce to 1/2 cup.  Remove from heat and add vinegar and molasses. Preheat oven to 450. Sautee onions and garlic with olive oil. Place chicken in roasting pan, stuff cavity with fresh herbs, and spoon onions and garlic in the cavity and around the chicken. Add 1 cup stock to pan. Rub chicken with butter. Roast for 30 mins. Reduce heat to 375. Add cider mixture to the pan and baste chicken. Baste every 20 mins or so. Cook chicken 20 minutes per pound, until internal temperature of thickest part of breast is160 degrees, or until the little thing pops up. Let rest for 10 minutes, covered by foil. Remove chicken from roasting pan, and place the roasting pan on stove top on medium high heat. Let mixture reduce a little, and skim off any fat. Season with pepper and salt, and serve alongside chicken.

An Intellectual Life

by Laura Sullivan

Caleb & Ben with Jeff Kinney at Boston Book Festival

Hello friends,

Back in my glamorous days as a twenty-five year old working for a foreign language publisher in the city, when I didn't wear jeans or yoga pants six days of the weeks, I had a vibrant cultural life. I was a member at the Huntington Theatre Company, went to Tanglewood on occasion, and my favorite- I would walk from my office to the local bookstore, (Waterstone's at the time, now gone from Newbury Street) to hear my favorite authors read from their most current works. I was only a few years out of college, and every time I felt like I got to go to an entertaining lecture, by one of my favorite professors. And the best, no homework! I felt so urban and intellectual. I wore scarves to be cool, not just to keep warm.
Fast forward more than a few years, I am living in the suburbs, doing the crossword puzzle to keep sharp, married with children, now themselves a little older, and can be left to fend in the wilds of Duxbury from time to time. My cultural life can resume, from seeing Shrek at the movie theatre, back not quite to the level of my glory days in the city, because I can't stay out that late any more-but to a level that I am happy with. (But don't think that Shrek isn't loads of fun…)
What has most lately influenced my literate life has been Westwinds Bookshop, and their very willing partner, the Duxbury Free Library. The number of very talented authors that they are able to attract to the little hamlet of Duxbury really is amazing. Their readings are made all the more enjoyable in that they are free, and always intimate. You will get the question answered that you always wanted to ask. With the help of some dedicated author friends around town, and some sweet, smart talking by the managers at Westwinds and the director of the library, we get very talented authors to enrich us, so we might take a day off from the crossword, and feel intellectual, again. You can even bring the kids. Scarves optional.
Congratulations to Westwinds on their official grand opening this past weekend. You have really brought the store, and our town, to it's fullest potential.
A few of the recent author readings:
Marianne Leone
John Sayles
Ann Hood
Jennifer Haigh
Andre Dubus, III
See the Westwinds website at http://www.westwindsbookshop.com/ for what's coming up next… it will be sure to enrich and enliven your week!

Fascinating Non-fiction!

by Laura Sullivan

Hello friends,

I hope you've been enjoying some really great books this summer, as I have. There are so many great,  sweeping novels that take us to places like Victorian England, the Brazilian rainforest, or to Paris in the 1920's. These books leave you without time and space, and if there's no clock or watch nearby, maybe without dinner, because time has lapsed, and it's just so late that you might as well order pizza. I LOVE those books, but I have to mete them out like a good dessert so that I can get some work done! (It's a little like when I got the first season of Mad Men from the library, then watched it all in three days- I walked around in a 1960's fog for a week.)

You know the usual drill-just one more chapter, and then you'll stop. Then it's two in the morning and you are finished but you still can't get your mind off the Brazilian rainforest or Paris…So you have some cereal and watch Jimmy Fallon until 3 am. Tired and cranky tomorrow, no doubt.

I don’t want you to stop reading these books, but, as a break, you should try some really worthwhile books out there that will mix up your reading patterns and allow you to get some sleep and work done. They inform, delight, and are sometimes unbelievable because they are true. They are what the Reality Show was before the Reality Show was a reality…they are non-fiction!

If you are already a fan, bravo to you, and I am preaching to the choir. If not, try one! Even as a one page a day devotional. They are not all dry. Don't pigeon hole yourself to being a reader who only reads what's on the new titles and best seller shelf. There is a whole fascinating world out there that is waiting for you. Open it up!

Some of my favorites:

Cod: A Biography of a Fish that Changed the World, by Mark Kurlansky Food, economics, the discovery of a little country called America, are a few of the topics Kurlansky writes about in the book. It is fascinating. People made fun of me while I read this because it seems like it would be so dull. It is so not. I have had many scoffers read this and love it. Don't dis the Cod.
The Golden Ratio, by Mario Livio Again, fascinating. The golden ratio: 1:1.618… Also called the divine proportion. It is a book about discovery , music, beauty, architecture and about our natural world. It will make you look at your fingers, plants, the notes on the scale of your piano in a whole new way. And how smart are you? Reading a pleasure book about math!
In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex, by Nathaniel Philbrick I yelled at the characters in this book like a crazy person- "No! Go the other way!" A frustrating, captivating look at a whaleship's voyage in the 1800's. Herman Melville most likely based Moby Dick on this true story of the whaleship Essex. A moral of the story - don't hunt whales, it makes them mad.
Undaunted Courage, by Stephen Ambrose The Corps ofDdiscovery explores the Louisiana Purchase territory during Thomas Jefferson's time in office. I marveled at what Lewis and Clark accomplished with their rudimentary resources. No fleece! No cell phones or GPS! They mapped the US in 1804 from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean with wood and leather. They ate dog when salmon was leaping out of the river at their feet. They lived!
John Adams, by David McCullough I loved reading this book not only because I think my husband has the soul of John Adams, but because much of the action takes place in my back yard. I loved imagining the places that are so citified now the way they were in 1776. He was an incredible boon to our society, with a wonderful partner in his wife, Abigail. It is a look inside of the founding of our country from the perspective of a very unassuming man.

These titles are only a small few of the vast number of non-fiction books that are out there. Look for something that is of interest to you, and give it a try. If it's a little dry and puts you to sleep, read your other book first, the two pages of one of these to settle down. Keep one in a place where you can sit down for a few minutes a day (get my meaning?) and read an informative book, instead of recycled content from a magazine. How ever you do it, do it. But don’t give up! Stay with it. You won’t be sorry.

All of these books can be found online at the Westwinds Bookshop online store

My Favorite Place to Read (Ode to a Hammock)

by Laura Sullivan

Ahh. The Hammock. What may seem like an ephemeral summer reference to many of you, it is my every day hidden reality. Hidden, because my hammock is tucked perfectly between two trees just a little apart from my lawn. When you look out my back door - you can't see it, or me when I'm in it. It's part of the appeal with four children at home in the summer. (It's been a month now though, they're starting to catch on.)

I bought the hammock for my husband for Father's Day last year, because it's the quintessential Father's Day gift. He already had the fishing rod from the year before, and had bought himself a boat. I prepared the site by measuring and cutting the intervening trees down myself. (Yes, if course with a chainsaw. I believe all ladies, even those equipped with handy husbands, should be able to handle chainsaws, power tools, and blowtorches. The last is good for crème brulee.) Then I set it up. I think Jim tried it once, but that relaxed summery hammocky feeling didn't stick with him. He was too (happily) busy moving about in the yard. So I tried it, dirty from gardening, hot and sweaty with little bits of dirt on my face where I wiped it with the back of my glove, and my work boots still laced up. It was love, bliss, and happiness! I found my reason for summer.

Even on the hottest days I lie in my hammock, undisturbed, shaded, listening to only the heat bugs. This afternoon I had a bowl of cherries, a book, and a cup of tea with me in the hammock, all balanced nicely. A word of caution: you ought not swing with hot tea, especially if the shirt you're wearing is white. In this total and absolute perfection, my book in hand, two hummingbirds flew nearby.  I also have had a chickadee land right on the edge of the hammock while I was in it. I felt like Snow White! What total perfection. I think sometimes I would rather be there than any place in the world, really. When there's a breeze from the ocean that blows the compost scent in the other direction, it's complete and total perfection.

A summer of great books that will keep you in your hammock and up late at night:

The Kitchen House, by Kathleen Grissom

Caleb's Crossing, by Geraldine Brooks

The White Rose, by Jennifer Donnelly

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand, by Helen Simonson

A postscript: We were recently given a second hammock with a ready stand by my in-laws who were moving, and could no longer accommodate it in their new yard. I kept it for a few days, kitty cornered near mine in full sight. (Not hidden. Point?) My family thought it would be great to have two, so two people could enjoy them at the same time. Mind you- no one EVER goes in the hammock but me. Not by my directive, but by their own. I couldn't take it. The hammock was MY space. For me, alone, to read in joyous quiet solitude; a break from the delights of a family of six. I gave the new hammock away to a friend. I hope she enjoys her new hammock. Alone!

Book Club with the Author Karen Day

by Laura Sullivan

Today our mother daughter book club was treated to a book club and talk at Westwind's by a local young adult author, Karen Day. Many of us read her latest work, A Million Miles from Boston. As quiet and shy as our usually garrulous girls were today, her visit was a real treat for them, and for the adults in the room, too! Karen talked about the book, her writing process, and even teased out some discussion from our deer in the headlights girls. She gave really good descriptions of how her characters are developed, and how her stories evolve. It was very fun, and enlightening for us to get an author's perspective on a book we've read. We always have questions as to why authors make certain choices for their stories- it was thrilling to get immediate gratification today, and not be left to wonder and ponder. (Although, if I didn't wonder and ponder, what would I do with my day?)

I personally appreciated the description about how long it took Karen to write her latest book, and how many people it takes to get a book actually published. A Million Miles from Boston took five years to write, and went through seven or eight major revisions of the manuscript before it went off to print! She also explained that she has a great support group of stern but kind and truthful first readers to set her on the right path to a great story.

What seemed to impress the girls most is how much of herself Karen puts into her books. She told a great story about her book No Cream Puffs, about the first girl little league player in Michigan. Once upon a time, Karen was that girl. When she was just twelve years old and the only girl in her town's little league, she struck out the town's best little league player, who also happened to be the cutest boy. (Karen knows her audience and the important details.) She's a great story teller, and an experienced hand with a crowd of young teenagers.

While Karen has given us more material with special insight for future book clubs, she's spoiled us to no end. It will be hard to go back to talking about a book without the author. Can you even imagine? I can, but I don't want to. Thanks, Karen.

Karen Day lives in Newton, Massachusetts and is the author of Tall Tales, No Cream Puffs, and A Million Miles from Boston. You can visit her on the internet at www.klday.com

Mother Daughter Bookclub Books We Have Read

by Laura Sullivan

Hi friends,

As promised: here is the list of what our mother daughter book club has read over the last four years. Ratings and comments were collected by the mothers and daughters. The scores are amalgamated, and comments are by both mothers and girls. I can't say it was a completely non-biased independent evaluation. For posterity, I must disclose that participants were paid with ice cream. The Stars are from 0-10, with 10 being the highest score.

Girls Book Club Books

Grade 4 Books

The Hundred Dresses, by Eleanor Estes, Louis Slobodkin and Helena Estes

Reading Stars: 8.1

Discussion Stars: 7.8

"I loved this early book. It was a good one to start with."

"This book is so great for younger girls. Should be required reading. Perfect start."

"A great book to start our girls book club with. Kind, sad, funny, and talks about the girl in the middle, the bystander."

"I loved this book about the imprtance of kindness."

"Loved it!"

All of a Kind Family, by Sydney Taylor and Helen John

Reading Stars: 7.7

Discussion Stars: 6.3

"Sweet book--good values. Nice for the grade level."

"Interesting discussion about how things used to be 100 years ago."

"Good discussion - not something thought about by the girls in 4th grade."

Anne of Green Gables, by L.M. Montgomery

Reading Stars: 7.5

Discussion Stars: 5.7

"A favorite of some moms, but too convoluted for 4th grade."

"liked writing style"

"We had a good time and watched the movie."

Sport, by Louise Fitzhugh

Reading Stars: 6.4

Discussion Stars: 7.7

"This book was an awesome book. At first I thought it was going to be for boys but I ended up loving it!"

"I remember a good discussion about his mother….not the best book for adults…but the girls seemed to like it"

"Fun story about a boy (not a girl) lots of adventure"

"Everyone seemed to love the book and was having a blast sharing their thoughts."

Hank Zipzer: Day of the Iguana, by Henry Winkler

Reading Stars: 4.8

Discussion Stars: 5.0

"Not particularly memorable."

"not much to discuss"

The Borrowers, by Mary Norton

Reading Stars: 7.3

Discussion Stars: 7.1

"This book was a crazy book about tiny people called the borrowers who took peoples stuff!"

"good discussion"

"We had so much to talk about!"

Bridge to Terabithia, Katherine Patterson and Donna Diamond

Reading Stars: 8.0

Discussion Stars: 8.3

"This book made me cry both times I read it. It has a crazy twist that you don’t expect but that made it even more interesting."

"Great combo of a terrific good--that's interesting to kids, readable and lots to discuss."

"Very good discussion about individuality, being different"

"I enjoyed this book about friendship and individuality."

"We all teared up just thinking about it!"

The Indian in the Cupboard, by Lynne Reid Banks

Reading Stars: 7.0

Discussion Stars: 5.9

"I thought it would be a boy book, but it's not. One of our favorites.

"Don’t be fooled by the title this book was one of my favorite book. It was funny at some parts and tragic at the next."

Miracle on 49th Street, by Mike Lupica

Reading Stars: 7.8

Discussion Stars: 7.8

”Just because its about basketball doesn't mean its not for girls. The main character is a girl trying to find her real father."

"Girls/sports combo works well for our group."

"about living with cousin, distant father, and dead mother"

"Discussion about relationships; lives with cousin, distant father, dead mother (of course)"

"This book had a great discussion because it was set in Boston and we had all been to their favorite pizza place (upper crust)."

Because of Winn Dixie, by Kate DiCamillo

Reading Stars: 8.7

Discussion Stars: 8.3

"This is an original book and I think everyone should read this book once in their life."

"classic, happy book, about relationship with father"

"Classic misfit southern literature"

"enjoyable tearjerker"

"This night was a fun night we talked about the dog and how cute it sounded."

Grade 5

The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy, by Jeanne Birdsall

Reading Stars: 9.0

Discussion Stars: 9.2

"This book was an amazing story about how 4 girls survive with  out a mother it goes thought sad time , loving times, and happy times you feel like you have known the Penderwick family forever."

"A favorte…perfect"

"A favorite, the girls loved this story. Lots of character discussion"

”It was a great night and we all decided we would read the 2nd on our own."

The Wright 3, by Blue Balliet

Reading Stars: 6.2

Discussion Stars: 3.6

"This book was a great book for people who like mysteries."

"good book--mystery…some didn't read….would like to try this series again"

"Not a lot of people read the book but I thought it was one of my favorite books and now they even have a 2nd and a 3rd wahooo!"

Summer to Die, Lois Lowry

Reading Stars: 7.2

Discussion Stars: 7.6

"This book was an amazing book that was very sad and happy at both parts it reminded me of My Sister's Keeper."

"about relationships with family and neighbors, death in the family"

"Very good discussion about family relationships, death in the family, safe relationships and neighbors"

"good discussion because helped give girls perspective on what leukemia used to be like for kids… now more kids survive"

"excellent discussion- story really touched the girls"

"tough book & topic"

"Not everyone liked this book which is normal but some people found it good like me!"

Ida B: …and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, and Possibly Save the World, by Katherine Hannigan

Reading Stars: 7.4

Discussion Stars: 6.7

”This was my all time favorite book of the 5th grade!!!! This was sad happy and depressing all at once I read it 3 times it was so good and now they have a sequel I can't wait to read!"

"another favorite. Should be required reading"

"Great night a lot of kids liked the book and we had so much to talk about!"

Are You There God, It's Me, Margaret, by Judy Blume

Reading Stars: 7.3

Discussion Stars: 7.9

"This book is about learning girl stuff FYI it's only for girls. I liked this book because it taught you not to be uncomfortable with your body and everyone is going thought the same thing."

"Girls opened up more than I thought they would. Unbelievable how this book still has appeal to the next generation"

"about growing up to be a woman and friendships"

"You can imagine- we talked about lots of stuff in a room full of 20 people that doesn't usually get mentioned. Lots of questions from the girls!"

"might want to read a bit older"

"we all read it when we were young; a true rite of passage"

"The discussion was about how she handled it the right was and they thought us what to do when we started to change"

Rules, by Cynthia Lord

Reading Stars: 7.9

Discussion Stars: 8.1

Awesome

"This book was an awesome book. It taught you to always keep your promise and to be a loyal friend."

"Favorite"

"a girl who made rules for her autistic brother"

"Great discussion about people who are different, about how to treat people"

"good discussion about autism - I do think this subject is over discussed"

From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, by E. L. Koningsburg

Reading Stars: 7.0

Discussion Stars: 5.7

"This was a book that I didn’t like as much as the others"

"Plot heavy, spent time reconstructing story"

"hard for girls to relate to this book"

Walk Two Moons, Sharon Creech

Reading Stars: 7.2

Discussion Stars: 6.5

"This book was really good and cute my favorite quote from this book was 'don’t judge me until you have walked to moons in my footsteps'."

"a favorite, mystery"

"A favorite of the girls, mysterious"

"This book was a hit by a lot of the kids and I'm sure your will enjoy it too."

Long Way From Chicago, by Richard Peck

Reading Stars: 5.1

Discussion Stars: 6.0

"Good discussion about relationships within families."

Grade 6

Shakespeare's Secret, by Elise Broach

Reading Stars: 5.3

Discussion Stars: 5.6

"This book was very confusing and not my favorite."

"Mysteries usually are a good discussion, we talk about what we think would happen."

"It was okay. I remember it was a pool party!"

The Revealers, by Doug Wilhelm

Reading Stars: 5.3

Discussion Stars: 5.3

"This book was our school's summer reading book."

"We discussed groups and bullying, friendships."

Flush, by Carl Hiaasen

Reading Stars: 7.0

Discussion Stars: 5.4

"Discussion about the right thing versus the easy thing to do."

The Million Dollar Kick, by Dan Gutman

Reading Stars: 7.3

Discussion Stars: 6.9

"soccer, friendships"

The Anybodies, by N.E. Bode

Reading Stars: 6.4

Discussion Stars: 6.2

"confusing and silly"

"A little plot confusing for girls"

"we discussed how to make a book better"

Lily's Crossing, by Patricia Reilly Giff

Reading Stars: 6.3

Discussion Stars: 6.1

"being left behind and worry about WWII"

"Good talk about being left behind and worrying during WWII"

"one of the girls brought wwII coupons- so cool"

"We had a show 'n tell and we each brought in something from maybe are grandparents if they were alive durring world war 2 and we talked about it!"

A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeline L'Engle

Reading Stars: 4.4

Discussion Stars: 4.7

"I did not like this book."

"I hated this book fantasy and a bit of Utopia."

"Morlocks? Fantasy doesn't go very far with this group although a little talk about Utopian society."

Bloomability, by Sharon Creech

Reading Stars: 6.1

Discussion Stars: 5.7

Great read

Jacob Have I Loved, by Katherine Patterson

Reading Stars: 7.8

Discussion Stars: 8.0

"One of my favorites!"

"Great book about relationships and growing up."

"I loved this book, good discussion about growing up, relationships, treating disenfranchised kindly."

"I liked the ending."

Firegirl, by Tony Abbott

Reading Stars: 7.1

Discussion Stars: 7.0

"Good for discussion--bullying, judging people. Girls talked a lot about it"

"YOU HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK!!!"

"Good discussion about treating peole kindly with disabilities, how someone might feel disabled (or in this case, disfigured)"

"Good discussion about being different in a school setting"

"I loved this book-very enlightening to know what it's like to be disfigured and how people treat you"

Grade 7

Fever 1793, by Laurie Halse Anderson

Reading Stars: 7.8

Discussion Stars: 7.6

"great discussion and history lesson"

"talk about the fever and what was caused by it"

"Good talk about life before medicine and communication; respect for the past"

"first real historical fiction discussion… discussion was about illnesses and how they impacted history"

"good story of early America"

Things not seen, by Andrew Clements

Reading Stars: 7.8

Discussion Stars: 7.2

"About believing people and what you would you do in that situation"

"interesting premise; talk about plot what would you do?"

"interesting perspective on what it must be like to be invisible"

"So fun talking about the surprising ending"

If You Come Softly, by Jacqueline Woodson

Reading Stars: 7.1

Discussion Stars: 6.8

"AN AWESOME BOOK! FULL OF LOVE AND SADNESS!!!!! YOU HAVE TO READ IT"

"contemporary setting and twist ending/ racism got girls talking about important issues"

"Good discussion about racism"

Up a Road Slowly, by Irene Hunt

Reading Stars: 6.8

Discussion Stars: 6.0

"How you can love someone and just not know it?"

Chains, by Laurie Halse Anderson

Reading Stars: 8.5

Discussion Stars: 7.4

"YOU HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK!!!"

"Love this…waiting to read the next one…history and important issues about slavery. Great discussions both when reading and in group."

"Discussed slavery & loyalties, blurred loyalty to British & USA"

"Awesome night!! Everyone was hoping there was a sequel btw! There is:)"

The Green Glass Sea, by Ellen Klages

Reading Stars: 8.9

Discussion Stars: 8.4

"Amazing book"

"One of shea's favorite…interesting topic--learning about bomb. Good for girls to learn about history…lilkable characters

about WWII, an orphan, friendships"

"Good discussion about lesser known aspect of WWII; orphan odd loveable kid"

"Thinking about how someone can just grow to love someone."

Each Little Bird that Sings, by Deborah Wiles

Reading Stars: 7.0

Discussion Stars: 6.1

"good discussion about family and friendships"

"Southern misfit book again- good talk about friendship & when friends fight"

"liked this one; reminded me of Winn Dixie"

I'd Tell You I Love You but I'd Then I'd Have to Kill You, by Ally Carter

Reading Stars: 3.7

Discussion Stars: 3.5

"Good talk about picking good books for book club vs. picking books that are fun to read"

"Not my favorite"

Mockingbird, Katheryn Erskine

Reading Stars: 8.7

Discussion Stars: 8.3

"AWESOME!

"my favorite book- amazing voice--strong main character. About coping."

"autism, tradgedy with brother, relationship with father"

"Good talk about autism and tragedy; narrator is autistic"

"book provided an interesting discussion about autism"

"Everyone loved this book and we dicussed all are thoughts and everyone said they cried reading it!!!"

The Cage, Ruth Minsky Sender

Reading Stars: 8.4

Discussion Stars: 7.2

concentration camps and labor camps in WWII, how the people treated each other then

Talk about concentration camps in WWII; baffling to girls that people would treat each other this way; theme of hope

discussion about WWII… suggstion for future book group -see if there is a grandparent who can come and talk

If I Stay, Gayle Forman

Reading Stars: not yet rated

Discussion Stars: not yet rated

A Million Miles from Boston, Karen Day

Reading Stars: not yet rated

Discussion Stars: not yet rated

Okay for Now, Gary Schmidt

Reading Stars: not yet rated

Discussion Stars: not yet rated

 

Go Girls! - How to Start a Mother Daughter Book Club

by Laura Sullivan

Hello friends,

Welcome to the first chapter of our Go Girls! Book Club Blog.  I have been in many adult book clubs over the years, and I've found book clubs to be a special place; where we can share ideas and opinions- both good and bad. It is an intellectual release for those of us who no longer attend school, but still like to flex our brains with stimulating, spirited conversation. And sharing a little wine with friends now and again too isn't so bad, either.

When my daughter was in 3rd grade, I had a friend whose daughter was in 5th grade and they both were in a mother daughter book club together. I confess- I was a little awestruck by the coolness of this mom of an older child. So wise, and knowing… Her kid was 11, practically a teenager. She was on a path to a life so glamorous, yet fraught with the many difficulties of becoming a teenager. A book club was a perfect place to hash out these problems. Lucky them. But why not lucky me? I could do this too and be that cool knowing mom someday.

So I did. I had a bit of an ulterior motive: I was a little scared about being the mother of a girl who would someday be a teenager. The fighting, crying, bullying, the clothes- and that's just me; what if she did those things, too? Lord help us all. . No, I jest. I wanted to create a group and an environment where we would be united; mothers aligned in our ideas, choices, and our morality. If we could create a group where any one of our girls would feel safe and confident in her choices, and that her friends' mothers felt the same as her mom did, that could be nothing but good. I also wanted to get ahead of what was going to inevitably happen in their lives, socially, emotionally, and physiologically. I wanted to have a venue to talk about all kinds of things. (And boy we have- more on that at a later date.)

We began with a mothers' meeting at my house. I asked nine friends, who had daughters my daughter's age, and most of whom were her friends, too. I figured twenty people was the max that could fit in a regular sized living room with girls squished into one big easy chair, or on the floor. A largish group lends itself for dynamic conversation, too. All nine accepted the invitation, and came to plan. (Listen to this part, because I think it's been critical to our success.) We came up with a list of parameters of how the book club would work, when we would meet, and where we would meet. Over the last four years this list of rules has not deviated- it was a really good plan for us, and it continues to work. If something begins to go off track, the secretary sends out two e-mails a month; one right after our meeting to reiterate what we are reading for the month, and give the meeting place and time. The second comes about a week before book club, as a reminder.

Our Rules

1.  The Calendar

We plan this out at the beginning of the school year, taking into account the already published school calendar. Days may shuffle very slightly, but these girls are committed- they come after a sports practice, or get heir homework and studying beforehand. We meet on Wednesdays, about every 5 weeks.

2. The Time

6:45-9:00

6:45: arrive

7:30: sit down to discuss

8:30: dessert

9:00: out the door with a very polite thank you to the hostesses. (It's not a bridge game, but we try to stick to this.)

3. The Location

We have a list, and if you are up next, it's your turn. If there is vomiting or remodeling at your house, you may switch. No one likes vomit.

4. Ahh…the Food

A note here, because when we had our parent meting someone suggested that we go alcohol free because we are with the girls. One, very wise mother (she must have had an older child- she was one of the cool) suggested that there was nothing wrong with drinking liquor, and, in fact, we are being very responsible adults showing what it is to be moderate drinkers, and to drink responsibly. The audible sigh of agreement and sense is still resonating over the terra firma. We have wine. And beer.

So the list of responsibilities:

Hostess provides: cleanish house (or candles lit and low lights-I'm telling you- it works) and a kid drink

The others sign up to bring one of:

Appetizer 1

Appetizer 2

Fruit

White Wine

Red Wine

Beer

Fruit

Dessert 1

Dessert 2

This is plenty to get by without having dinner before we leave the house. If we know the girls are mostly coming from somewhere else, we'll make the appetizers hearty; potato skins, mini meatball subs, or calzone.

5. The Discussion

Everyone reads the book and contributes to the discussion. To get some of our less conversational girls talking, we have everyone bring a discussion question about the book we've read. A few of the adults gently guide the discussion, but the best discussions are when we hear from everyone. The girls get to learn about their moms in new ways when hear their mom's thoughts and hear anecdotes from their childhoods. Things come up when we're reading these kid books, and they are inevitably about a kid, so the mom's tend to reminisce about and share their own lives. (A useful note- I have used bribery when reading has waned, especially if I hear girls aren’t getting the books finished. I have had a raffle for those to enter who have finished the book. It's been a small token - a DVD, nail polish and ice cream gift certificates to name a few. It's really worked. I've even had a mom's raffle, too.)

6. Choosing the next book

The hostess girl chooses three books, which have been vetted by the mom, and are known to be widely available through our library. The hostess girl presents the books after the discussion, and a blind vote is conducted by the girls to choose the next book. (A note of experience, since I am now one of the wise and cool- if the book is only very little available in your library system, it is usually because it is a crappy, or possibly out of print book.)

These are our, agreed upon rules. Choose your own, but consider them as by laws, and stick with them. Amend the by-laws if something isn't working, but follow them. With clear parameters, a book, and nice people, you will have a good group that will become as meaningful as ours has been for us.

7. The Secretary, Boss, Grand Wizardess…

Someone needs to send out the reminder e-mails, and keep track of books read, the calendar. Pick someone who has an organized closet. If their closet is organized, they are the right person for the job.

Welcome to the Westwinds Book Blog

Thanks for visiting our blog! We hope to inspire and delight with stories about all things books- book clubs, reading, author visits, deciding which book to read, gifts... the topics are endless! Check back each week to see what's new.