Book Club - "The Fairest Beauty" by Melanie Dickerson

Lately, I've been going through a fairy tale kick. I've been rereading all my Marcia Lynn McClure books that are based on fairy tales and historical romance. I've been watching the series "Once Upon A Time" on Netflix. So when it was my turn to choose a book for book club, I knew I wanted a fairy tale story.

 

I choose "The Fairest Beauty" by Melanie Dickerson. I can't even remember how I stumbled on this book, but I am so glad I did.

I LOVED it! Once I picked this book up, I could not put it down. Furthermore, I am now hooked on this author. This book, is based on the story of Snow White. And I just learned that she will have a new book out in October based on the tale of Cinderella. She has two other books out, and they are on their way to my mail box as we speak. (One of them is based on Beauty & the Beast, which is my all time favorite fairy tale!)



 

I always enjoy book club. I enjoy trying out new books and I love having a night to hang out with those I love. But this month was one of my favorites simply because I have found a new author to love.

Book Club - "And Then There Were None" by Agatha Christie

This month, is was Vanessa's turn to pick the book. She choose "And Then There Were None" by Agatha Christie. She had heard it is one of the best mystery books of all time, and I think that is pretty close to true. After just a few chapters, I was hooked and couldn't put it down until I finished it.

I think we all ended up enjoying this book. It even has a movie based off it, which we were going to watch. But then about 2 hours before we were supposed to meet, my sister texted me to see if we could color Easter Eggs instead. My response was something like, "hm, watch a lame movie or do something fun with my favorite boys?"

 

Maybe Josh and I will rent the movie soon, but coloring eggs was defiantly more fun.

Book Club - "Naked in Death" by J. D. Robb

After taking a break for the holidays, we got back to our book club this month.

 

This month, my mom choose "Naked in Death" by J. D. Robb.

 

My mom fed us white chili for dinner and we had a great night visiting.

 

Our book club is now done to 3 members, but we have decided to keep it going as a Mother-Daughter night so we can keep getting together once a month. Can't wait for next month.



Book Club - "Dear John" by Nicholas Sparks

In November, it was my turn to host book club. My new favorite author is Nicholas Sparks. In October, I read 5 of his books in 3 weeks. I would decide to choose one book for book club, but then read it and I didn't want to wait that long to discuss it. So finally, I decided to just choose a book, but then not read it until just before book club. But they all sounded good, so I couldn't choose one. Finally, I choose "Dear John" because the main character shares my name. ;)

Thursday night, we got together for book club. I served Hawaiian Haystacks for dinner. Then we watched the movie. Of course, it doesn't follow the book closely, I still loved the movie. 

We always take a break in December because of the holidays. So until January. :)

Book Club - "Carribean Crossroads" by Connie E. Sokol

For October, Jessica got to choose the book. She choose "Carribean Crossroads" by Connie E. Sokol.

 

It made me miss being on our cruise ship. :( Which I am missing again right now, because my cousin is on the SAME cruise ship right now.

 

Jessica made a fun new treat, Sweet ' n Salty Caramel Moose Cups and also served hot chocolate. They were both delish and I couldn't stay out of them! It was a fun night. I love book club so much. Sometimes, we only discuss the book for like 5 minutes. But then we spend the next hour or so just visiting and I love that.

 

I'm in charge next month and can't wait!

 

 

Book Club - "Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder" by Joanne Fluke

This month, Randi choose "Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder" by Joanne Fluke.

The book includes a few recipes for cookies that are mentioned in the book. We decided to each choose a recipe to try and bring samples to book club. I choose Black & Whites.

Every one's cookies turned out yummy. Randy made sugar cookies, Vanessa made Chocolate Chip Crunch Cookies, Tammy made Pecan Chews and Jessica made Regency Ginger Crisps.

 

Randi also made a yummy dinner of BBQ chicken sandwiches. So good, that I made them for Josh 2 nights later. Can't wait for next month.

Book Club - "The Giver" by Lois Lowry

This month, it was my sister's turn to pick the book. She mentioned she wasn't sure what she wanted to choose, so I told her about the book I was originally going to choose, before my grandma's book came out. It was "The Giver" by Lois Lowry. 

This is actually the 3rd time I've read this book. When I was very young (like 5th grade or so), my mom read this book to us. She told us that one year, my sister's teacher, insisted parents read a book with their child. The only requirement was that it be a Newbery  Medal Award book. My mom loved this book so much, she made sure to read it to each of us when we were young.

Then a few years later (I think it was the summer of my freshman year), I was in a summer program called Upward Bound. Each summer, I would live with my high school peers in a dorm in Provo. To keep us in line, we had an adult supervisor that lived with us. My first year, that "den mom" decided to read us a book. She choose "The Giver". I couldn't remember it exactly, but I remembered it was a good book. Each night, we would read a little bit. As we got towards the end, the suspense was too much! One of my room mates decided to swipe the book one night so we could finish it. She crawled into the room on her belly, snatched the book, and we stayed up to finish it. Then she crawled back in to put the book back. Of course we loved it, but the next night, when our den mom finished it, she was disappointed in our reaction. I guess its like opening your presents before your birthday. Its just not as exciting the 2nd time.

As I read "The Hunger Games" they very vaguely reminded me of this book. But since it had been YEARS since I read this book last, I decided to read it again. I had it chosen as my book, but the day before I told the group, my grandma's book came out, so I choose it instead. I decided I would just wait the 4-6 months until it was my turn again. So when Vanessa seemed stumped, I mentioned this book in hopes she would choose it so I wouldn't have to wait. ;)

Vanessa served us a dinner of kabobs grilled outside on the grill. It was delish. I love book club so much and can't wait for next month. 

Book Club - "The Litigators" by John Grisham

Last month, when we discussed my grandma's book, we invited my mom and sister to join us since they had read the book too. Then at the end of the night, we invited them to join book club permanetly. Our book club had started to shrink, but I was not ready to see it end.

We invited my mom to choose the next book. She choose "The Litigators" by John Grisham. I was excited! About 10 years ago I was hooked on John Grisham. I was a part time janitor at the junior high and during my breaks, I would go to the library and read one of his books. About the time I left that job, I had read all of his books that had been printed, up to that point in time. After that, I didn't stay caught up on his newest books as they came out. Reading this book had me ready to dive back into all of his works.

My mom decided to serve us dinner. She made a potato bar and home made ice cream. We had a great time discussing the book. I'm glad we were able to get a few new people to join book club.

My sister picked the next book, which I read this weekend. Can't wait to discuss it with everyone. ;)

Book Club - "For Cryin' Out Loud" by Dianne Blaine Hardy

This month, it was my turn to pick the book for book club. I had originally chosen a different book, but then my grandma announced that her book would be coming out in May. Of course I had to choose her book. 1) She's my grandma and I love her and 2) I read a rough draft a few years ago, and loved it!

I could not put the book down. Every time I had even a spare second, my nose was buried in her book. She wrote her memoirs of growing up, as a means to heal from her youth and different things that happened on the inside of her home. Her parents were outstanding members in the community, but inside her home, they were less then ideal parents. For example, my grandma practically grew up on tuna fish sandwiches. Her mother would not cook for her. But to make it worse, when the younger kids were born, she put more effort into feeding them food, but still left my grandma and older sister to fend for them selves. 

In preparing for book club, I thought it would be fun to cook a dinner based on my grandma's favorite foods. I emailed her to ask her what she suggested and this is the email I received back. 

"Thank God  my tastes have grown to include more than the tuna sandwiches I was raised with.  What a creative tribute to me to have you all eating what I like.  Wish I could be with you.  Favorite meal is Clam Chowder with bread sticks, a green salad with the veggies cut up small like your mom makes, and cherry pie or cherry cheesecake.  I also love meatloaf and those funeral potatoes your mom makes.  Asparagus is great.  Hope this gives you a choice.  I love you, Savannah and thank you for all the help you have been in promoting my book.  Grandma".

Because we were out of town the weekend before, time was kind of tight to prepare a meal. I had wanted to make bread sticks, but was at the zoo instead. Monday night, I got a meat loaf put together. Then Tuesday, I got off work an hour early. I raced home to throw the meatloaf in the oven. Then I prepared asparagus and a green salad. I also wanted to do potatoes, but just ran out of time. Dessert was cherry pie (thanks to Marie Calendar). 

I also decided to invite my mother and sister up since they had also read the book. Which was a good thing, because Jessica was the only other person able to come. I knew Jessica loved the book, because a few days before book club, I got this text from her. "Finished reading your grandma's book last night. I liked it! Such a cool genealogy  book for you. Most people don't know much about how their grandparents were raised... including me." 

We had so much fun talking about my grandma's book, made even better with my family adding in other family memories. When I read the rough draft a few years ago, one part reminded me how each summer we would go spend a week at my grandma's house. One of the highlights for us kids was grandma would let us put sugar on our cereal. (Which we of coursed shoveled on!) 

Jessica was shocked to learn that my grandma didn't know what a muffin was until she was in 11th grade! I'm just grateful that after being raised on tuna fish sandwiches, she turned out to be a really good cook. I can remember when she'd come to see us, she would make chicken noodle soup that was to die for! Which I thought about making for book club, but knew I wouldn't have enough time to do. 

Thank you grandma for writing your book and sharing it with family and friends and now every one else. 

You can purchase a copy of her book HERE. After reading it, be sure to leave a review. 

Book Club - "Love Comes Softly" by Janette Oke

This month, it was Jessica's turn to choose the book. She wanted to choose a book, based on a movie, by one of her favorite directors, Michael Landon Jr. So she choose "Love Comes Softly" by Janette Oke that is a made for the Hallmark Channel movie.

This time, I almost didn't get the book read. I took it with me to the hospital when my mom was there, but was so stressed that I figured I wouldn't get into the book. So on Sunday I realized, in a panic, that book club was only a few days away and I had yet to start the book. I spent most of Sunday reading it and finished it the next day. Its an easy and fun read and I loved the book. Its actually the 1st book in a long series. I thought it was only 3 books, so I bought the first three. Only to realize later that there is like 8 books. But I loved it so I'll probably end up reading them all.

The movie was good and did catch most of the stuff from the book. But in the book, the one girl is only one years old and in the movie she is nine. I had a really hard time with that. In the end, I thought the book was better. But that is usually how it is anyways.

Book Club - "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett

This month, Randi was in charge of book club. She chose "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett.

I LOVED this book. The last few months, I've tried to not read the book until just a week or two before we meet, because if I read it too soon I either forget stuff, or hate having to wait so long to talk about the book with every one else. This time, I did wait a few weeks, but the book was so good that once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down.

Randi is always an awesome hostess. She served us pork chops, potatoes, salad and pineapple with chocolate pie for dessert. Then we watched the movie. It wasn't quite as good as the book, but still pretty good. I was upset that they left a part at the movie, but then it was added to the very end instead.

I've already ordered the book for next month and can't wait to read it. 

Book Club - "Frenchman's Creek" by Daphne DuMaurier

It feels like FOREVER since our book club last got together in October last year. So with the holidays out of the way, I was excited to get back on track so we can have that extra excuse to hang out each month.

It was Kim's turn to choose the book; she choose "Frenchman's Creek" by Daphne DuMaurier. It is briefly mentioned in another of Kim's favorite books (by Dorothy Keddington) where the character mentions it is their book of the month for book club. So she thought it would be fun to make it our book of the month too. I'm so glad she choose it, I LOVED it.

Because of the big break, I actually read mine quite a while back. I thought about rereading it this month since it was so good, but my copy is lent out to someone else right now.

It is about a woman having a high seas adventure and falling in love with a Robin Hood like pirate. We didn't talk about the book much, because only half of us had read it. But the woman in the book unhappy in her marriage and ends up having an affair with the pirate. The book was written in like the 1940's, so its almost hard to tell there even was an affair, its a very clean read.  To me, it spoke of real life and how these things really can happen. I then had to reassure everyone, that even though hubs works out of town so much, he still takes care of me in other ways so that I don't become unhappy in my marriage. Lonely at times yes, but still happy with my marriage that it isn't a problem.

We ended up at Randi's house for book club so we could help her finish a quilt she had to have done before the weekend. By help, I mean we all visited while her mom and her tied. But we kept her little boy entertained so that counts, right?

I also volunteered to bring dessert. I see all these good things on Pinterest I want to try, but with my diet, I hate cooking fancy (aka, fattening) foods for just me and Josh. So I used book club as an excuse to try out two new recipes. Randi provided cheesy potato soup and bread sticks for dinner that were delish. Then I brought Rocky Road Brownies and Candied Popcorn. They were both so good!

A few months ago, Randi mentioned the book she was thinking about choosing, so I bought it. I can't wait to start reading it.

October Book Club - "The Blog" by Carolyn Adams-Hanchett

This month it was Tina's turn to choose the book for book club. I was excited to read the book when she mentioned the author was a sister to a lady I knew growing up. The book was "The Blog" by Carolyn Adams-Hanchett.

It was a pretty political book and I enjoyed some of the concepts in it. What I didn't like was the ending and how it left it wide open for another book. Since this book only came out this summer, it will be a while before a sequel comes out. I don't like waiting on sequels, that's why I don't usually read them until I know the author is done with the series.

Tina fed us dinner and we had a great time visiting about the book and other parts of life. I love book club and can't wait for the next one.

Book Club - "Marly & Me" by John Grogan

As soon as book club finished my first book, I immediately started thinking of what book I wanted to read next, even though I knew I had MONTHS to decide.

This spring, while out shopping with the EEC's, we were browsing around the DI. I saw this book and decided to buy it. I thought it might be a fun read for book club. A few months later, we were once again at the DI. Jessica had mentioned how she is trying to find a copy of all the books we've read. We saw a copy of "Marley & Me" and I told her that was the book I was considering. (I think I still had 2 or 3 months before it was my turn to choose.) So she bought the book also. Now I felt committed, we had each spend an entire $2 on this book!

Because the summer got so busy and hectic, we decided to skip book club in August and start back up in September. I read the book in July so I could know I was choosing something good before passing it on to everyone in the group.

By the time book club came in September, I had read 25 other books. (I'm actually keeping a list of books I've read this year.) So to refresh my memory I thought it would be fun to watch the movie at book club.

I started with dinner (which I forgot to take pictures of). Recently, I dug out all of my Halloween Taste of Home magazines and decided to do most of my meal from them. I couldn't decide on a main course, so instead I went with Chunky Potato Chowder from Better than Burgers.

Everything else came from the magazines. I need to remember how much I like these magazines and dig them out all year! I have 3 more events I'm hosting at my house before Halloween and they will each be lovingly prepared from these magazines. For a drink I served Festive Cranberry Drink. For a bread I decided to try a new roll recipe, Parmesan Rolls. For dessert I went with something I've tried before, German Chocolate Bars. And since we were watching a movie, I decided we needed Goblin's Orange Popcorn, but I colored mine purple. It was my favorite thing that night. It was so good. Josh doesn't care for popcorn, but I made him try it too.

The book was really good and so was the movie. I'm glad I decided to choose it. I probably won't get to choose the book again until next spring, but I'm already busy thinking about what book to choose next.

Book Club - "The Ball's In Her Court" by Heather Justesen

This month, it was Jessica's turn to host book club. Growing up in Fillmore, she knew a gal who is now a published author by the name of Heather Justesen. Several months ago while we were in the city she mentioned these books and that she would like to choose one for book club. We checked a few stores, but couldn't find the 1st book. 

Jessica sent Heather Justesen an email asking her where we could find her books, including a note that I would like a copy too. A few days later Jessica came home to find a box in her mail. It was a copy of both books, for each of us. And they were autographed! We were both excited. 

The two books link together in that one of the minor characters in the first book, is the main character in the 2nd book. To avoid confusion, we read "The Ball's in Her Court." I couldn't put it down! It was so good. 

 As soon as I finished it, I read her 2nd book, "Rebound." Loved it!

Jessica is such a great hostess. She made chocolate dipped strawberries and raspberry cups and also served mini cupcakes. I was so stuffed from her treats that I skipped dinner that night. :)

Heather Justesen just released a 3rd book, "Blank Slate." She has been posting chapters on her blog each week and I am hooked. HOOKED I tell you. Its so hard waiting for the next week and the next post. I need to just buy the book, but I'm hoping I'll be able to go to a book signing and buy it there and have it autographed. 

Book Club - "Morality for Beautiful Girls" by Alexand McMall Smith

Because of illness and vacations, we ended up having to cancel book club in April. I was sad to miss out on a girls night and also worried I would forget how much I loved the book. Well, not really on the 2nd part, I really did enjoy this book. So much so, I wrote this blog post about 7 weeks ago when I finished reading the book, but I didn't want to post it until we discussed it in book club.

This month Randi choose the book. It is from a series called The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. She only had a copy of book #3. We talked about trying to find the 1st book, but the author does a really good job of catching you up in later books, so we agreed to read #3 "Morality for Beautiful Girls".

We only had one book to pass around the group (unless someone found it at the library) so I read it first. I wanted to read it quickly so I could pass it on, but that was easy to do because it was such a fun read.

Since I read it first, I started this post early so I could remember it. One of my favorite parts doesn't relate to the book theme as a whole, but it made me laugh so I thought I would include it.

"What was too big, anyway? Who was to tell another person what size they should be? It was a form of dictatorship, by the thin, and she was not having any of it. If these thin people became any more insistent, then the more generously sized people would just have to sit on them. Yes, that would teach them. Hah!"

(Morality for Beautiful Girls, pg 214-215)

I loved the book and was able to finish it over the weekend. Now I want to read the rest of the series. ;)

Update: I learned this week that HBO turned these books into a tv series and you can get it on Netflix.

Book Club - "Mrs. Mike" by Benedict & Nancy Freedman

This month it was Kim's turn to host book club. She choose "Mrs. Mike" by Benedict & Nancy Freedman. I must admit, I had a harder time with this book. It was good, but it just never grabbed my interest and sucked me in.

But after we started discussing the book, I found myself saying
"Oh, I really did enjoy that part."
"Oh, I'm sure glad that part happened."
"Oh, I was so scared for her during that part."
"Oh, I really enjoy when this happened."

By the end of the night, I realized that I did enjoy the book. I just didn't give it a fair chance at first.

I'm already half way through next months book. Right now, we only have one copy to pass around so I am trying to get it read this weekend so I can pass it on. Its really good and I'm excited for next months book club so we can discuss it.

Meeting Dorothy Keddington

Earlier this week, Kim learned that Dorothy Keddington would be coming to Vernal to sign books. So tonight we went over to meet her. It was so much fun. 

I've read almost all of her books, but I borrowed them from Kim so I didn't own any yet. But they had a few of her books for purchase, so I was still able to get some signed. Now I just need to work on buying the rest of her books. She also had a printout of the first two chapters of her next book that will be out soon. I can't wait!

Book Club - "Charly" by Jack Weyland

This month it was Tina's turn to choose the book. She choose "Charly" by Jack Weyland. I've read this book before, but had been a while, so I was excited to read it again. After that I read "Sam" and now I'm reading "Adam's Story." I figure you can't read a book in a series, without reading the entire series. ;)

We've all taken a turn now choosing the book, so we get to start over. I'm already nervous what book I'll choose next, and its a few months before it will even be my turn. 

Book Club - "The Highwayman of Tanglewood" by Marcia Lynn McClure

This month it was my turn to choose the book for book club. I really struggled with my choice. I wanted to choose my favorite book, but I was worried some of the gals wouldn't like it. But in the end I decided I would be unloyal to myself if I didn't choose MY favorite book by my FAVORITE author, Marcia Lynn McClure. Her books always make me swoon. They are so romantic and yet also very clean. If my house was on fire, her books are something I would try to get out before the house burnt down. 

So I chose "The Highwayman of Tanglewood."

Its so hard to choose a favorite scene in this book. So hard! But here is part of one of my FAVORITE kissing scenes.

 "The emerald fire in his eyes caught blaze as he smiled and she was undone. Closing her eyes as Lochlan Rockrimmon's head descended toward hers, Faris harshly scolded herself--scolded herself until the instant she felt Lochlan's lips press against her own. She gasped as he drew her body against his with great strength and determination.

His kiss lingered upon her lower lip--lingered against her upper lip. She was near to crying out for want of his mouth full pressed to hers.

He whispered then, "a shared kiss is required, Faris--if you wish to be free of me."

Instantly, his mouth captured hers, coaxing her lips to part. Faris melted against him, her resolve to resist in returning his kiss utterly vanquished as passion caught flame and smoldered between them. He was strong--powerful! His kiss was moist, demanding, overpowering in rendering a sense of intoxication to Faris' full body and mind. Faris despised herself--for she reveled in the bliss evoked by Lochlan Rockrimmon's kiss as deeply as she ever reveled in the bliss found in the arms of the Highwayman of Tanglewood!

His rough whiskers assaulted the flesh about her mouth. His strong hands caressed her arms, tightened about her waist, wove fingers through her hair.

"Will you not touch me, Faris? Will you not embrace me?" he asked in a whisper. "Will you not let me feel the warmth of your full self in returning our kiss?"

Faris knew she must break from him, but not before she had held him in return. His words were as a warm rain and she melded to him, letting her arms go around him--her mouth working with his to generate a passionate exchange the like she had shared with just one other.

A deep moan rose from his throat as he pushed her back against the wall. His body pressed hers as he kissed her, his hands fisted and hard-pressed on the wall at either side of her head. His kiss was ambrosial in nature--perfect in its heated application and coaxing response.

Faris pulled away at once, stepping out of his embrace and away from him. What had she done? She had never imagined herself capable of such unfaithfulness.

(pages 235-236)


I also made dinner for book club. Usually when I have guests, I will only serve the tried and proven true meals. But I decided to be brave and try something totally new. It was a big deal because if things don't turn out in the kitchen, I throw a fit. Josh calls them my kitchen fits and he knows to just leave the room and leave me alone. These kitchen fits are also while I'll never make pies again.

For dinner I served The Great White Chili from the Better Than Burgers Website. It was so good! We almost didn't save enough for Josh. (Which would have been mean since he cooked the chili for me.) I served it with chips and Jenga Bread sticks. They were fun to make and I loved how short they were. (Sorry I forgot to take picture of dinner, we were having too much fun.) We almost forgot about dessert, (sorry Randi), but before Kim & Jessica left, one of them remembered it. It was Lemonade Pie, also from Better Than Burgers and it was a huge hit! I made mine with Raspberry Lemonade. YUM! It probably a good thing its stored in the basement freezer or I would have eaten it all by now.

When we first started book club, I promised everyone bookmarks. True to myself, I decided I better have one of every color known to man in two different designs so everyone could get one they liked and not have to fight over some. I finally pooped out after making all of one design in every color. I let them know if they liked the other design better, they could choose a color and I would make it. I had the book marks all crocheted, so all they had to do was thread the ribbon in. I loved every one's bookmarks.

It was a fun night and I can't wait for next months book club. :)