Heya Bookworms,
(still no name so I am sticking to the often degrading and never clever name calling)
So, The Magus discussion finally happened...but I must confess that there was very little discussing of the actual book.
I believe Teresa was the only one who actually read the whole book. I think Amy got close but she was a "no show".
Amy, we missed you. I was hoping to see Gatsby.The reviews were mixed: Sarah really liked the book. She will have to post her thoughts but she said something like, "the characters were more life like to her..or their minds work the way her mind works...or similar"
Teresa was glad she read it as she noted she normally only reads books that she considers "easy reads". Natalie or as we have now dubbed her, "Pen Police", just flat out said she did not like The Magus. Myself, I made some lame excuse about having weird dreams everytime I read the book. It is true...but who knows why you dream what you dream. For all I know these weird dreams could be induced by Splenda overdose.
Side note...it seems everything I eat and drink now has splenda in it...hence the splenda induced weird dream theory. If not The Magus then what did we discuss, you ask... (or you probably don't but I will tell you anyway)
We discussed what books we have enjoyed reading. Teresa spoke up for her and Sara and still suggests the group read A Million Little Pieces
(whose title I keep singing in my head to the tune of Dirty Little Secret)Check it out here - http://www.readinggroupguides.com/guides3/million_little_pieces1.asp
Hey T, I really don't care if the book is truth or fiction....I just enjoy giving any Oprah book shit.
Even if it is nolonger an Oprah book.It was discovered that our very own Ellen could be an Oprah book club tester. She confessed to enjoying books that bring on a good cry. While Nat and I pay good money for drugs that will keep us from "having a good cry", Ellen is out there seeking the experience. She has been enjoying the Audio Book Extremely Close and Incredibly Loud http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/catalog/titledetail.cfm?titleNumber=688440
Now on to the Freddies Place Review. I urge and encourage any or all of those that were at the meeting to pipe up on their Freddie's Place thoughts.
Using my Harry Potter,
Hogwart's Points System I will now rate Freddie's Place.
-20 points for the miniscule parking lot (do they expect no one to come eat there?)
+100 for allowing dogs and for the ingenious method they use so that dogs, too, can enjoy their establishment. (good thing dogs don't drive...or they wouldn't have anywhere to park)
-10 for the itty bitty wine list.
+10 for the nice selection of beers.
+25 for great outdoor seating.
+25 for the washer pitching area.
-20 for having American Idol on the TV. (
which I originally thought was Kereoke when I first heard it. If it had been Kereoke, then that would have gained them points...)+10 for having a beef burger patty for my dog.
-10 for the beef burger patty giving my dog massive diarrhea.
+20 for attentive wait staff (
she gave Maudie and Lola a bowl with water and even remembered to come around and refill it)-5 for no Javier.
(not every establishment can have a Javier)Total points for Freddie's Place comes to (if my math is correct and that is always doubtful) 135 points. That equals four paws in my book. For those of you who could not make it, you can check out a really good review, here, http://www.eatanddrinkaustin.com/articles/freddies/freddiesarticle.htm .
On to next month's gathering. It was decided that after last month's heavy reading material and before the next book,The Constant Gardner, which has been described as "profound" and "an intelligent page turner of high quality", we would take a small break and pick up something of our own choosing
(my choice will be something that could be described as "less than intelligent page turner, yet fun and uplifting"). If you are like me, you were giving books for Christmas or have picked one up at the airport and have been trying to fit them in around our assigned books. So, for this month,everyone will read the book of their own choosing and will come to the next get together with recommendations and thoughts on their chosen book. Kinda like a book report but you won't be graded and you don't even have to write it out. However, I will take some sketchy notes and post your comments, and the books you read, on our blog. If you would like to email me a review to post that would be spectacular! (less notes taking for me)
On to the where and when... We have tentatively scheduled our next dinner discussion on March 20th. As the time grows closer, I will send out an email asking folks to offer up suggestions as to the "where".
As I get ready to sign off from this incredibly long post I want to say, "Congrats", to Sara and Teresa on their completion of the Rock and Roll Marathon in San Diego and, "Good Luck", on their marathon next month. (I forgot where it is....) Also, "Good Luck" to Ellen on her first half marathon, at Freescale, this coming weekend. You are going to ROCK that course.
Take care,
Marla
