“When Breath Becomes Air,” by Paul Kalanithi

Martha's Choice: “When Breath Becomes Air” 

by Paul Kalanithi

Noon, Saturday, Jan. 20 
at Intermountain Hospital Cafeteria in Murray

"A Wrinkle in Time," by Madeleine L'Engle

Deb's pick: "A Wrinkle in Time," by Madeleine L'Engle

Noon, Saturday, Nov. 18

Site: IHOP in Murray

Book Club at The Red Maple

Book Club was full of adventures this time around as we met at The Red Maple to discuss "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan." We had a lot of fun at the circular table, using the central wheel to pass around pot stickers. I've always wanted to try Dim Sum and this restaurant offered a sampling appetizer which ended up being quite good. We all agreed the old Chinese tradition of foot binding was horrific and we are glad people don't do that anymore. Thank you, Sharee, for the handout on foot binding -- I was very curious about the method and where the tradition came from. And thank you Ivan, once again, for hosting our lunches. You are AWESOME! Thank you everyone for reading the book, attending and contributing your fun personalities to the conversation! :)

BOOK CLUB ROTATION

Sharee

Deb

Martha
Ivan
Beverly
Patty
Amy

"Snow Flower and the Secret Fan," by Lisa See

Sharee's choice: "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan," by Lisa See

Saturday, Oct. 7
The Red Maple

The Galley Grill

We decided to try Russian cuisine this time at The Galley Grill! After dining on borsch, pelmeni (beef raviolis), cabbage rolls (we bought the last one), and goulash (see photo) -- we all agreed we would be back soon! And we would love to introduce Ivan and Martha to this restaurant -- we missed you two!We all agreed we found "The Lilac Girls" to be quite inspiring, and we had a great discussion about the three intriguing characters: Caroline, Herta and Kasia.
Here is the Borsch recipe I was talking during lunch! http://comecookinamykskitchen.blogspot.com/ 

"Lilac Girls," by Martha Hall Kelly

Amy's pick: "Lilac Girls," by Martha Hall Kelly

The Galley Grill

Noon, Saturday, Aug. 19

Fun at Bohemian Brewery and Grill! :)

PIEROGIES & BRATWURST

Eastern European pastry pockets filled with cheese, dill seasoned potatoes. Served with bratwurst & sauerkraut topped with bacon, onions & dill sour cream

 Sharee brought a piece of the Berlin Wall! :)

 Allie, Deb and Amy

 Sharee and Patty

Martha

Beverly

 Allie and Deb

 Ivan swears by Scout's Honor he read the entire book! ;)

 Allie and Deb

 Amy

"Forty Autumns" by Nina Willmer

Patty's Choice: "Forty Autumns," by Nina Willmer

Noon, Saturday June 24

Site: Bohemian Brewery and Grill

"All the Light We Cannot See," by Anthony Doerr

Beverly's Choice: 

"All the Light We Cannot See," by Anthony Doerr  
*One of our top favorite books so far! :)

Noon, Saturday, May 6

Site: Mimi's Restaurant

"The Rent Collector," by Camron Wright ... and a bonus book!

Ivan's pick:

"The Rent Collector," by Camron Wright 

PLUS, for the over-achievers, an extra book:

"Man's Search for Meaning," by Viktor Frankl

Noon, Saturday, March 11

Restaurant: Mekong Cafe

"The Rent Collector," by Camron Wright 
 Survival for Ki Lim and Sang Ly is a daily battle at Stung Meanchey, the largest municipal waste dump in all of Cambodia. They make their living scavenging recyclables from the trash. Life would be hard enough without the worry for their chronically ill child, Nisay, and the added expense of medicines that are not working. Just when things seem worst, Sang Ly learns a secret about the ill-tempered rent collector who comes demanding money--a secret that sets in motion a tide that will change the life of everyone it sweeps past. The Rent Collector is a story of hope, of one womans journey to save her son and another womans chance at redemption. It demonstrates that even in a dump in Cambodia--perhaps especially in a dump in Cambodia--everyone deserves a second chance.

- - - 

"Man's Search for Meaning," by Viktor FranklPsychiatrist Viktor Frankl's memoir has riveted generations of readers with its descriptions of life in Nazi death camps and its lessons for spiritual survival. Between 1942 and 1945 Frankl labored in four different camps, including Auschwitz, while his parents, brother, and pregnant wife perished. Based on his own experience and the experiences of others he treated later in his practice, Frankl argues that we cannot avoid suffering but we can choose how to cope with it, find meaning in it, and move forward with renewed purpose. Frankl's theory-known as logotherapy, from the Greek word logos ("meaning")-holds that our primary drive in life is not pleasure, as Freud maintained, but the discovery and pursuit of what we personally find meaningful.

Book Club at Patty's House! :)

Patty couldn't come to Book Club because of an injury after slipping on the ice -- so we brought Book Club to her! :)
We were all lucky to have a break in between snow storms, the roads cleared and we gathered at Patty's warm and cozy condo in Midvale.
Ivan and Martha picked up take-out from Kathmandu and we experimented with some fun and spicy Indian food to match the book "The Orphan Keeper," by Camron Wright. I wasn't brave enough to try goat -- but I did order Lamb Korma, which is savory pieces of lamb in a sauce with tomato, onion, cashew nuts, raisins, spices, and cream. Great for our Book Club mission which is to get outside our box and try new things! Thank you again, Ivan and Martha, for your generosity! http://thekathmandu.net/
We all agreed we enjoyed the book so much, our next book pick is by the same author. 
Thank you Patty for hosting, and for the yummy chocolate chip cookies! We hope you and Princess stay safe and warm for the next few weeks and you heal up!