SWCR Book Club met on October 24, 2024, at Witches on Main in Belle Plaine (so much fun even in the thunderstorm this year)!
Attendees: Anne, Pam, Buffy and Laurie (special guest Amanda)
Hostess: Anne
Book: People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks
Icebreaker: We did discuss the book for a little bit but hope to go into further discussion at the Christmas Party next month, where Anne can have an icebreaker prepared for us.
Anne
Books: People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks
Pam
Books: People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks
Marked by PC Cast and Kristin Cast
Betrayed by PC Cast and Kristin Cast
My Sister's Grave by Robert Dugoni
Chosen by PC Cast and Kristin Cast
The Inmate by Frieda McFadden
Buffy
Books: People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks (currently reading)
Trickster's Point by William Kent Krueger (currently reading)
Laurie
Books: To Catch A Storm by Mindy Mejia
Howls From the Dark by P.L. McMillan
The Dragon Keeper by Mindy Mejia
The Redemption of Boaz Prichard by Hailey Edwards
Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by J.K. Rowling
Book rating:
1-0
2-1
3-1
4-1
5-0
9/3 = 3
SWCR CHRISTMAS PARTY!!!
Next meeting: SWCR Christmas Party on Saturday, November 23, 2024, starting at 12 Noon at Jen's house, 412 E Adams Street, Arlington. There will be a taco bar. The signup genius is below. Gift Exchange ($25 max?). Possibly an activity/craft. Bring your book donations too. They will be donated to the Girl Scout Little Library at the Legion Pool Park in NYA or to the local libraries (if they are taking books). You may want to bring a chair.
For those of you on Facebook, please update your status so we can get a head count. Hope to see many of you at Jen's in November to celebrate another year of book club (as well as an early birthday for Jen)!
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SWCR Book Club met on September 26, 2024, at Copper Canyon, NYA
Attendees: Buffy, Pam and Anne
Hostess: Buffy
Book: To Catch A Storm by Mindy Mejia
Icebreaker: Do you remember or have you experienced an ice storm in MN?
Anne
Books: To Catch A Storm by Mindy Mejia
Icebreaker: Yes. She remembers a video of a school bus sliding on the road.
Pam
Books: Natural Selection by Elin Hilderbrand
Where Butterflies Wander: A Novel by Suzanne Redfearn
The Lost Letters of Aisling: A Novel by Cynthia Ellingsen
To Catch A Storm by Mindy Mejia
Icebreaker: Yes, remembers many but unsure when. Remembers slippery sidewalks and driveways
Buffy
Books: To Catch A Storm by Mindy Mejia
The Jesus Papers by Michael Baigent
Icebreaker: Yes, remembers a few different ice storms.
Discussed the book, storyline, subject and characters. We seemed to like Jonah best. Surprised by one plot twist, and not so much the other. We felt she left a few things hanging and the book ended abruptly. Talked about how Mindy writes mystery books but different subjects (Boundary Waters, Kickboxing, weather/science, etc.).
Book rating:
1-0
2-0
3-0
4-2
5-1
13/3 = 4.33
Next meeting: October 24, 2024, at Oldenburg Brewing Company, Belle Plaine/Witches On Main. 5pm stop into the Vets Club at 221 Meridian Street to pick up your stamp card and visit some vendors. Dinner around 5:20 at Oldenburg. Witches On Main 6-8pm. Be back at the Vets Club for drawings by 8pm.
Hostess: Anne
Book: People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks
Remember, SWCR Book Club as a website: SWCR Book Club
This is very kindly updated by Pam (with some help from Buffy as needed).
Upcoming Musicals/Plays:
White Christmas Oct 5, 2024-Jan 25, 2025 Chan Dinner Theatres
Les Miserables Nov 19-Dec 1, 2024 Orpheum
A Christmas Carol Nov 9-Dec 29, 2024 Guthrie
The Little Mermaid Dec 3-29, 2024 Ordway
The Book of Mormon Dec 10-15, 2024 Orpheum
A Midsummer Night's Dream Feb 1-Mar 23, 2025 Guthrie
Hadestown Feb 11-16, 2025 Orpheum
The Life of Pi Mar 4-9, 2025 Orpheum
Dear Evan Hansen Mar 11-16, 2025 Ordway
Mean Girls - The Musical April 8-13, 2025 Ordway
Purple Rain April 10-May 11, 2025 State
& Juliet May 13-18, 2025 Orpheum
Mystic Pizza Jun 3-8, 2025 Ordway
Cabaret Jun 21-Aug 24, 2025 Guthrie
Kimberly Akimbo July 8-13, 2025 Orpheum
Beauty & the Beast Aug 5-17, 2025 Orpheum
Upcoming Events:
Oct 25-31st Poe a rock musical, Masquerade Dance Theater, Burnsville
Oct 28th - Chaska Friends of the Library Book Sale
Oct 28th - Trunk or Treat, NYA
Oct 30th - Trunk-or-Treat at the Harbor and the Haven, NYA
Oct 31st - Trunk or Treat, Glencoe
Nov 1-2 - Showroom Christmas Sale, Lester Prairie
Nov 2 - 35th Annual Holiday Craft Sale, McLeod County Fairgrounds, Hutchinson
Nov 3rd - Holiday Boutique 2024, New Germany
Nov 7th - Fall into the Holidays - Vendor and Craft, Sip & Shop, Plato
For those hosting upcoming book clubs, if you know where you want to host club at, please let me know and I will update the Facebook invites.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SWCR Book Club met on August 29, 2024, at The Wine Lounge, Hutchinson
Attendees: Beth, Kurt, Pam, Buffy, Laurie, Anne and Sandra
Sandra, it was WONDERFUL to see you! Thank you for making the drive out to Hutchinson!
It was Kurt's birthday, so we all sang him HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Hostess: Beth
Book: Looking for Jane by Heather Marshall
Icebreaker: If you were being adopted by a TV mom, who would it be?
Beth
Books: The City by Dean Koontz
Looking for Jane by Heather Marshall
All His Pretty Girls by Charly Knox
Icebreaker: Frankie from The Middle
Sandra
Books: Too many books to list here but currently reading The Girl With The Louding Voice by Abi Dare
Icebreaker: Mrs. Kim from Kim's Convenience
Laurie
Books: Gray Court by Hailey Edwards
Skullduggery by Helen Harper
Once and Always by Elizabeth Harper
The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
Dave Mira by Rossen Publishing
Icebreaker: Minerva McGonagall from Harry Potter
Anne
Books: Looking for Jane by Heather Marshall
Icebreaker: Carol Brady from The Brady Bunch
Buffy
Books: And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle by Jon Meacham
Dog Man: The Scarlet Shedder by Dav Pilkey
Looking for Jane by Heather Marshall
Icebreaker: Samantha Stevens from Bewitched
Pam
Books: Friends with Secrets by Christine Gunderson
The New Menopause by Mary Claire Haver
This is Why We Lied by Karin Slaughter
Love Her to Death by M. William Phelps
The Guardians by John Grisham
Hold Tight by Harlan Coben
The Mindf*ck Series by S T Abby
Looking for Jane by Heather Marshall
Icebreaker: Camille Braverman from Parenthood
Kurt
Books: No books
Icebreaker: Did he ever decide on one?
Discussed the book and Beth shared some questions about the book. Did you know about underground abortions and homes for pregnant, unwed girls. Some of us did and some did not. Talked about if Nancy's life would have been different if she received the letter when she was supposed to. Talked about the nuns at the home and the doings of the Catholic Church (both in his book and historically). Discussed Nancy's experience at Clara's abortion. Talked about the twist (no one saw it coming). Some of us didn't like the way the book ended. It seemed so abrupt.
Book rating:
1-0
2-0
3-0
4-3
5-1
17/4 = 4.25
Next meeting: September 26, 2024, at Copper Canyon Bar & Grill, NYA. Dinner at 6pm. Club at 7pm.
Hostess: Buffy
Book: To Catch A Storm by Mindy Mejia
Remember, SWCR Book Club as a website: SWCR Book Club
This is very kindly updated by Pam (with some help from Buffy as needed).
Upcoming Musicals/Plays:
Les Miserables Nov 19-Dec 1, 2024 Orpheum
A Christmas Carol Nov 9-Dec 29, 2024 Guthrie
The Little Mermaid Dec 3-29, 2024 Ordway
The Book of Mormon Dec 10-15, 2024 Orpheum
A Midsummer Night's Dream Feb 1-Mar 23, 2025 Guthrie
Hadestown Feb 11-16, 2025 Orpheum
The Life of Pi Mar 4-9, 2025 Orpheum
Dear Evan Hansen Mar 11-16, 2025 Ordway
Mean Girls - The Musical April 8-13, 2025 Ordway
Purple Rain April 10-May 11, 2025 State
& Juliet May 13-18, 2025 Orpheum
Mystic Pizza Jun 3-8, 2025 Ordway
Cabaret Jun 21-Aug 24, 2025 Guthrie
Kimberly Akimbo July 8-13, 2025 Orpheum
Beauty & the Beast Aug 5-17, 2025 Orpheum
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SWCR Book Club met on July 25, 2024, at Agave, Mayer
Attendees: Jackson, Laurie, Buffy, Beth, Pam, Kurt, and Anne
Hostess: Jackson
Book: Dog Man The Scarlet Shedder by Dav Pilkey
Icebreaker: How many times if the nurse in the book?
Laurie
Books: Black Wings Gray Skies by Hailey Edwards
Gray Witch by Hailey Edwards
Winter Lost by Patricia Biggs
Gray Tidings by Hailey Edwards
Black Soul, White Heart by Hailey Edwards
Icebreaker: 18 (wrong)
Buffy
Books: The Women by Kristin Hannah
Icebreaker: 30 (wrong)
Beth
Books: The Bridge by Karen Kingsbury
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann
I'll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara
Last Call at the Nightingale by Katharine Shellman
May Day by Jess Lourey
The It Girl by Ruth Ware
Dog Man The Scarlet Shedder by Dav Pilkey
Icebreaker: 28 (CORRECT!!)
Pam
Books: Dog Man The Scarlet Shedder by Dav Pilkey
Broken Bayou by Jennifer Moorhead
Peaks and Valleys by Spencer Johnson
Sociopath: A Memoir by Patric Gagne
Icebreaker: 28 (correct)
Kurt
Books: None
Icebreaker: 28 (correct...seriously?) LOL
Anne
Books: Sweet Virginia by Caroline Kepnes
The Contractors by Lisa Ko
Graceful Burdens by Roxanne Gay
This Telling by Cheryl Strayed
Icebreaker: 28 (correct...I think everyone is copying Beth!) LOL
Jackson
Books: Too many to list here. He says 9000 books he's read since the last time he joined us at book club. Probably not too far off!
Sadly, no margaritas with dinner tonight because Agave had their liquor license revoked. Discussed the book: Who is your favorite character from the cast list? Talked about Dav's other books related to classic adult books (Twenty-thousand Fleas under the Sea; Grime and Punishment; A Tale of Two Kitties; Lord of the Fleas). Talked about how the books share adult and children topics; moral stories; the artwork.
It was a fun book. Very popular at Carver County libraries.
Book rating:
1-0
2-0
3-1
4-1
5-2
17/4 = 4.25
Next meeting: August 29, 2024, at TBD. Dinner at 6pm. Club at 7pm.
Hostess: Beth
Book: Looking for Jane by Heather Marshall
Upcoming Musicals/Plays:
Little Shop of Horrors Jun 30-Aug 18 Guthrie
Back to the Future Sept 10-22, 2024 Orpheum
Some Like it Hot Oct 15-20, 2023 Orpheum
Les Miserables Nov 19-Dec 1, 2024 Orpheum
A Christmas Carol Nov 9-Dec 29, 2024 Guthrie
The Little Mermaid Dec 3-29, 2024 Ordway
The Book of Mormon Dec 10-15, 2024 Orpheum
A Midsummer Night's Dream Feb 1-Mar 23, 2025 Guthrie
Hadestown Feb 11-16, 2025 Orpheum
The Life of Pi Mar 4-9, 2025 Orpheum
Dear Evan Hansen Mar 11-16, 2025 Ordway
Mean Girls - The Musical April 8-13, 2025 Ordway
Purple Rain April 10-May 11, 2025 State
& Juliet May 13-18, 2025 Orpheum
Mystic Pizza Jun 3-8, 2025 Ordway
Cabaret Jun 21-Aug 24, 2025 Guthrie
Kimberly Akimbo July 8-13, 2025 Orpheum
Beauty & the Beast Aug 5-17, 2025 Orpheum
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SWCR Book Club met on June 27, 2024, at Maria's Mexican Restaurant, Glencoe
Attendees: Anne, Jen, Teri, Buffy, Pam and Laurie
Hostess: Anne
Book: Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann
Icebreaker: Do you have a murder in your family or someone close to you?
Jen
Books: None
Icebreaker: No murders in the family.
Teri
Books: None
Icebreaker: No murders
Buffy
Books: Why the Jews? by Dennis Prager
Code Red by Kyle Mills/Vince Flynn
Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann
Icebreaker: No murders in my family, but I know someone who killed someone in a car accident when high on drugs.
Laurie
Books: Red Hawk by Helen Harper
Fiendish Delights by Helen Harper
Black Arts, White Craft by Helen Harper
Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann
How to Raise Poultry by Christine Heinrichs
Black Truth, White Lies by Helen Harper
Icebreaker: Grandma's brother was murdered
Pam
Books: Salem's Cipher by Jess Lourey
Vacationland by Sarah Stonich
Laurentian Divide by Sarah Stonich
The Housemaid is Watching by Freida McFadden
Shark Heart by Emily Habeck (Pam highly recommends this one. LOL! Just kidding!)
Icebreaker: Not in Pam's family, but Kurt's sister was murdered by her husband (did I get that right?)
Anne
Books: Catch Her in a Lie by Jess Lourey
Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann
Icebreaker: Dad's uncle murdered in Stearns County, MN (did I get that right?)
We talked about the flooding and the weather (we had to, we're Minnesotans). Discussed the book. Some had a hard time getting into it. Many were fascinated and angry at what happened. We're bag fans of Special Agent White - thank God Hoover sent him to solve the murders. It seems so unreal that this conspiracy of murder was happening. It sounded like a Hollywood movie. Pam tried to watch the movie, but didn't make it. We discussed Oklahoma and the teaching of the Osage murders and this book in their school system.
Book rating:
1-0
2-0
3-1
4-2
5-1
16/4 = 4
Next meeting: July 25, 2024, at Agave, Mayer. Dinner at 6pm. Club at 7pm.
Hostess: Jackson and Laurie
Book: Dog Man - The Scarlet Shedder (think of The Scarlet Letter)
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SWCR Book Club met on May 30, 2024, at Lazy Loon Brewery, Glencoe
Attendees: Pam, Teri, Jen, Buffy, Beth, Laurie and Anne
Hostess: Pam
Book: Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney
Icebreaker: Are People Superstitious quiz and then superstitions around the world, and she gave us all a penny with a poem.
Teri
Books: Lots and lots of books
Jen
Books: None
Buffy
Books: Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney
Bloodline by Jess Lourey
Beth
Books: Just Once by Karen Kingsbury
Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney
Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata
Anne
Books: Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney
Eat to Live by Joel Fuhrman
Monday is Murder by Jes Lourey
Laurie
Books: I Know Who You Are by Alice Feeney
How to Live an Undead Lie by Hailey Edwards
How to Wake an Undead City by Hailey Edwards
Hummingbird by Helen Harper
How to Kiss an Undead Bride by Hailey Edwards
How to Survive an Undead Honeymoon by Hailey Edwards
How to Argue with a Cat by Jay Heinrich
Nightingale by Helen Harper
Pam
Books: Lost and Found by John Giatt
The Coworker by Freida McFadden
Bared to You by Sylvia Day
Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney
Sharing Too Much by Richard Paul Evans
Auggie & Me: Three Wonder Stories by RJ Palacio
The Twilight Garden by Sara Nisha Adams
Blessed are the Dead by Kristi Belcamino (we saw her at Lykke Books in New Ulm with Jess Lourey)
Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann
The Promise of Tomorrow by Mary Ellen Taylor
May Day by Jess Lourey
We talked and laughed a lot about our own superstitions and then Googled superstitions from all over the world. This was the second quiz Pam gave us regarding superstitions. We did discuss the book. Talked about the creepiness of the book. How we felt when reading it. Did we expect the twist. Laurie said her other book has a crazy twist too. Many of us were surprised that Amelia was the girl from the dog shop and she was telling the story. Lots of creepiness in the book. Page turner for many.
Book rating:
1-0
2-0
3-0
4-3
5-2
22/5 = 4.4
Next meeting: June 27, 2024, at TBD. Dinner at 6pm. Club at 7pm.
Hostess: Anne
Book: Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann
Remember, SWCR Book Club as a website: SWCR Book Club
This is very kindly updated by Pam (with some help from Buffy as needed).
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SWCR Book Club met on April 25, 2024, at Schram Winery, Waconia
Attendees: Laurie, Buffy and Pam
Hostess: Laurie
Book: The Library of the Dead by T. L. Huchu
Icebreaker: Do you believe in magic?
Buffy
Icebreaker: Yes
Books: The Library of the Dead by T. L. Huchu
Pam
Icebreaker: No
Books: Poverty, by America by Matthew Desmond
The Martian by Andy Weir
Seaview Inn by Sherryl Woods
The Women by Kristin Hannah
True Believer by Nicholas Sparks
On the Run by Iris Johansen
Hiding in the Open by Sabina Zimering
Unlikely Angel by Ashley Smith
In the Time of Butterflies by Julia Alvarez
Cut & Thirst by Margaret Atwood
Laurie
Icebreaker: Yes
Books: Grip of Fear by Sam J. Fires
How to Break an Undead Heart by Hailey Edwards
How to Dance an Undead Waltz by Hailey Edwards
Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney
Tattered Huntress by Helen Harper
Box of Frogs by Helen Harper
We discussed the book. Talked about Ropa's job - she's a ghost talker. About her attitude towards money, but then she is the "bread winner" supporting her Grans and sister. Discussed how the title is deceiving because it really wasn't about the Library of the Dead. Laurie stated that would play a larger part in later books. Talked about the poor children of the town, the Scottish lingo, the scary Midnight Milkman, the house (interesting part of the story but quickly gone) and poor little Ollie. The book started off a little slow but became better once she was in the library and also decided to find Nicola's son, Ollie.
Book rating:
1-0
2-0
3-2
4-1
5-0
10/3 = 3.3
Next meeting: May 30, 2024, at Lazy Loon Brewing Company, Glencoe. Dinner at 6pm. Club at 7pm.
Hostess: Pam
Book: Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney
Remember, SWCR Book Club as a website: SWCR Book Club
This is very kindly updated by Pam (with some help from Buffy as needed).
New Book Picking Process
We also discussed how we will proceed with book vote. Going forward, the host will inform club of the book we are to read. This new process will start in May in preparation for July reading. This is an evolving process, and we will update as needed. For now, there will be no more book voting. The rules we've had in place don't fully apply as we do not have enough people participating to enforce the rules. Though we are adapting to this new part of book club, we will continue, and if needed, voting and the standing rules will be brought back when possible. If you have questions regarding this new process, please reach out to Buffy.
Watch your emails on Monday, April 29th, as we prepare for the next hostesses/books to read starting for the month of July. I'm hoping we get 6 people interested.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Jen joined us for dinner. It was great seeing you, Jen!
Welcome to new member, Becca! We look forward to seeing you again.
And, Sandy, surprised us all with her appearance. So, glad you joined us Sandy!
Hostess: Beth (Buffy hosted in place of Beth)
Book: The Quarry Girls by Jess Lourey
Icebreaker: Have you been to the quarries in St. Cloud or any quarry, gravel pit or field to party?
Author Events for Jess: April 23rd 6pm Le Sueur Public Library, Le Sueur
May 18th 4pm Lykke Books, New Ulm (Pam as a Facebook event created for this outing)
Pam
Icebreaker: Not St. Cloud, but a quarry in Glencoe - no wait - it was the Sumter pit by Brownton (not a quarry but a gravel pit)!
Books: The Connellys of County Down by Tracey Lange
The Little Liar by Mitch Albom
I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys
The Quarry Girls by Jess Lourey
The Lies You Wrote by Raisa Susanto
Didn't See That Coming: Putting Life Back Together When Your World Falls Apart by Rachel Hollis
When the World Goes Quiet by Gian Sardar
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
The Housemaid's Secret by Freida McFadden
Litani by Jess Lourey
Nightmares and Secrets: The Real Story of the 1984 Child Sexual Abuse Scandal in Jordan, MN by Tom Dubbs
Emotional Eater: How I lost 200 pounds and have kept it off for 20 years by Eric Johnson
Letters of Trust: Friendship Letters Series by Wanda Brunstetter
All the Broken Places by John Boyne
Laurie
Icebreaker: Not St. Cloud but a quarry in Arkansas, where they found someone's porn collection!
Books: October
You Shouldn't Have Come Here by Jeneva Rose
Night Broken by Patricia Briggs
Fair Games by Patricia Briggs
Fire Touched by Patricia Briggs
Dead Heat by Patricia Briggs
Fantastic Hope by Laurel K. Hamilton
Silence Fallen by Patricia Briggs
Burn Bright by Patricia Briggs
Storm Cursed by Patricia Briggs
Smoke Bitten by Patricia Briggs
Naked City by multiple authors
November
Written in Red by Anne Bishop
Soul Taken by Patricia Briggs
Murder of Crows by Anne Bishop
Vision in Silver by Anne Bishop
Marked in Flesh by Anne Bishop
Etched in Bone by Anne Bishop
Dragon Keeper by Diane Wilkensen
Lake Silence by Anne Bishop
Wild Country by Anne Bishop
Crow Bones by Anne Bishop
December
Code Talker by Chester Nez
Vampirates Tide of Terror by Justin Somper
Soulless by Gail Carriger
Brimstone Bound by Helen Harper
Midnight Sampler by Helen Harper
Infernal Enchantment by Helen Harper
Scorched Heart by Helen Harper
January
Blood Fire by Helen Harper
Who Moved by Cheese by Spencer Johnson
Blood Magic by Helen Harper
Blood Rage by Helen Harper
Blood Politics by Helen Harper
Blood Lust by Helen Harper
Dark Whispers by Helen Harper
A Killer Kiss by Helen Harper
February
Fortunes Ashes by Helen Harper
Library of the Dead by TL Huchu
Surviving Chaos by Sam Fires
The Girl of Ink and Stairs by Kiren Millwood Hargrove
Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments by TL. Huchu
The Library at Dunvegan Castle by TL Huchu
Ballads of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
Sandy
Icebreaker: Not St. Cloud, but probably has been to a quarry, gravel pit or field. She just doesn't remember. LOL!
Books: None
Anne
Icebreaker: She's been close to the quarry in St. Cloud and has visited a field or gravel pit.
Books: The Quarry Girls by Jess Lourey
Becca
Icebreaker: Not the St Cloud quarry, but she's partied in a field!
Books: Has started lots but have not finished any.
Buffy
Icebreaker: Has been to the park by a quarry in St. Cloud.
Books: The Quarry Girls by Jess Lourey
The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger
Litani by Jess Lourey
The Taken Ones by Jess Lourey
Beth
Books: January
The Paris Seamstress
The Code Talker by Chester Nez
Spare by Prince Harry
The Lindberg Nanny
The Guardian by Grisham
The Diner by Koch
The Book of Lost Friends by Windgate
If I Were You by Zimmerman
February
A Daughter's Journey by Myra Lee Glass
Someone We Know by Shari Lapena
Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekalak
The Last House on the Street by Diane Chamberlain
On Mystic Lake by Kristen Hannah
The Quarry Girls by Jess Lourey
The Pecan Man by Cassie Dandridge Selleck
The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen
The Perfect Son by Frieda McFadden
The Long Way Home by Lynn Austin
If the Creek Don't Rise by Leah Weiss
We discussed the book. Jess's writing style and how she can make you feel like you are in the scene. We discussed the tunnels in Pan Town. Are they real? It sounds like they are. Field Trip to St. Cloud. We talked about the problems in St. Cloud past and present. The disgusting father and sheriff (hey, that's her BEST friend doing that)! Discussed the kidnapping and murder of the Reker Sisters in St. Cloud Labor Day 1974, and the kidnapping and murder of the Lyon Sisters in Wheaton, Maryland in March 1975. The Lyon sisters' bodies have never been found. Lloyd Lee Welch, Jr. was indicted for their murders in 2015. There are beliefs, Lloyd Lee Welch, Jr., who was in St. Cloud when the Reker sisters disappeared, may have been involved in their murders. FYI, I was wrong, Welch is still alive. Oh, and we talked about how bad the Stearns County Sheriff's office is in handling cases and all those cases in Stearns County (Reker Sisters, Jacob Wetterling, and the cases Jess talks about in the beginning of her book).
Book rating:
1-0
2-0
3-0
4-3
5-4
32/7 = 4.6
Beth provided her rating for the book, so it is included here though she was not in attendance.
Next meeting: March 28, 2024, at Oldenburg Brewing Company, Belle Plaine. Dinner at 6pm. Club at 7pm.
Hostess: Buffy
Book: Exodus by Leon Uris (sorry this is a long one)
Remember, SWCR Book Club as a website: SWCR Book Club
This is very kindly updated by Pam (with some help from Buffy as needed).
New Book Voting Process
We also discussed how we will proceed with book vote. Going forward, the host will inform club of the book we are to read. This new process will start in May in preparation for July reading. This is an evolving process, and we will update as needed. For now, there will be no more book voting. The rules we've had in place don't fully apply as we do not have enough people participating to enforce the rules. Though we are adapting to this new part of book club, we will continue, and if needed, voting and the standing rules will be brought back when possible. If you have questions regarding this new process, please reach out to Buffy.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
SWCR Book Club met on January 18, 2024, at Copper Canyon, NYA
Attendees: Anne, Buffy, Pam and Beth
Hostess: Anne
Book: Code Talker by Chester Nez
Icebreaker: Have you ever had a bad recurring dream and what did you do to make it go away?
Pam
Icebreaker: Yes, about a German Shepherd attacking her.
Books: The Mark of the King by Jocelyn Green
Dear Jacob: A Mother's Journey of Hope by Patty Wetterling
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
The Girls of Atomic City: The Untold Story of the Women Who Helped Win World War II by Denise Kiernan
Home for Christmas by Courtney Cole
To Catch a Storm by Mindy Mejia
The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger
The Gentleman's Gambit by Evie Dunmore
Two Women Walk into a Bar by Cheryl Strayed
Code Talker: The First and Only Memoir by One of the Original Navajo Code Talkers of WWIII by Chester Nez
Paper Cuts by Ellery Adams
Beth
Icebreaker: Yes, about a trip to a hotel or camping but she never makes it
Books: The Ship of Brides by Jojo Moyes
The Good Neighbors by Kiersten Modglin
The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand
The Things We Leave Unfinished by Rebecca Yarrows
The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger
The Third Victim by Phillip Margolin
The Simple Wild by K. A. Tucker
When Crickets Cry by Charles Martins
Before and After by Jody Christine and Lisa Wingate
All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
The Christmas Train by David Baldacci
The Santa Suit by Mary Kay Andrews
Christmas Presents by Lisa Unger
Not That Fancy by Reba McEntire
Code Talker by Chester Nez
The White Lady by Jacqueline Winspear
The Paris Seamstress by Natasha Lester
The Lindberg Nanny by Mariah Fredericks
Spare by Prince Harry
Buffy
Icebreaker: Yes, about guilt
Books: Heaven's Keep by William Kent Krueger
The Other Girl by Erica Spindler
The Dakota War of 1862: Minnesota's Other Civil War by Kenneth Carley
The Third Reich: Fists of Steel (Time Life Books)
Vermilion Drift by William Kent Krueger
Northwest Angle by William Kent Krueger
Children of the Nazis by Tania Crasnianski
Code Talker by Chester Nez
The Rape of Nanking: The Forgotten Holocaust of WWII by Iris Chang
Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T. S. Eliot
Anne
Icebreaker: Not really
Books: Code Talker by Chester Nez
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Blood Hollow by William Kent Krueger
The Moth Presents: All These Wonders: True Stories about Facing the Unknown edited by Catherine Burns
Beauty and the Beast by Jeanne-Marie LePrince de Beaumont
We discussed the book. Had we heard of the Navajo Codes Talkers? We discussed the Pacific theater vs the European theater of WWII. The brutality in the Pacific. The die only thinking of the Japanese. No R&R! How Chester didn't seem to have any bitterness regarding the way he was treated.
Book rating:
1-0
2-0
3-1
4-3
5-1
20/5 = 4
Laurie provided her rating for the book, so it is included here though she was not in attendance.
Next meeting: February 29, 2024, at A-Town Tavern, Arlington. Dinner at 6pm. Club at 7pm
Hostess: Beth
Book: The Quarry Girls by Jess Lourey
New Book Voting Process
We also discussed how we will proceed with book vote. Going forward, the host will inform club of the book we are to read. This new process will start in May in preparation for July reading. This is an evolving process, and we will update as needed. For now, there will be no more book voting. The rules we've had in place don't fully apply as we do not have enough people participating to enforce the rules. Though we are adapting to this new part of book club, we will continue, and if needed, voting and the standing rules will be brought back when possible. If you have questions regarding this new process, please reach out to Buffy.