Regeneration by Pat Barker (Dinner at Phil Riveness')

We met at Phil's new place and were served a fine Norwegian dinner. The book was Pat Barker's Regeneration, the first of a World War I trilogy. Although no one could put his finger on what, exactly, it meant, or why it was significant, it was one of the highest rated books our club has read. OK, the first part of that sentence is my personal interpretation. If you disagree, get your own bookblog. The next book is Eric Larson, Devil in the White City (February 1, 2005). Roger is up next.

??? by ??? (???)

The next book, suggested by Phil, is Founding Brothers by Joseph Ellis. We will meet on Monday, June 10, at a location to be announced. Jim will bring suggestions for the next book.

Atonement by Ian McEwan (La Grolla)

The next meeting will be on Monday, May 10, at La Grolla, 452 Selby in St. Paul. The book is Ian McEwan's Atonement. Bill suggested the MeEwan book, so Phil is up next.

With Old Breed by Eugene Sledge (Reds)

We met at Reds in the Foshay Tower, a rather expensive but very good restaurant. Most of us found With the Old Breed to be a moving, stunning account of a young man's experience in war. Subsequently, I found that Studs Turkel did an interesting interview with the author, Eugene Sledge. The next book is Ian McEwan's Atonement, and the meeting date is May 10. Phil suggests the next book.

French Lessons: Adventures with Knife, Fork, and Corkscrew, Knopf by Peter Mayle & Fog of War Directed by Errol Morris (Babalu)

Everyone enjoyed French Lessons, but most agreed that it was not in the highest rank of books. The movie, Fog of War, and Robert McNamara got more discussion. Babalu received mixed reviews: the inventive menu and good food was balanced by loud, piped-in music. The next book is With the Old Breed, a World War II memoir by Eugene Sledge. We will meet on April 19; Bill suggests the next book.

Tonight's Dinner

Tonight's dinner will be at Babalu, 800 Washington Ave., Minneapolis. George found a different kind of book by Peter Mayle.

The Unredeemed Captive by John Demos

The New York Times article on the Deerfield Massacre recalls Devos' book, The Unredeemed Captive. Also, see the Deerfield museum website displaying artifacts from the event.

Peter Mayle meets Fodor

Peter Mayle meets Fodor.

The Human Stain by Philip Roth (Osteria I Nonni)

The restaurant, Osteria I Nonni, set two kinds of records on Monday. It topped out as the most popular commercial venue we have patronized, with a rating of 4.54 out of 5.0. And it was (I think) the most expensive dinner we have enjoyed--$65.68 plus tip--and enjoy it we did, especially the scallops and desserts. The book was Philip Roth's The Human Stain. The discussion touched on the book's characters (nobody liked them), their motivations, victimhood, Roth's ability to speak "different voices", etc. Poetry was by Langston Hughes.

The next meeting will be at 6 PM, Monday, March 1 (unless somebody squawks), in Minneapolis at a place of Phil's choosing. The book is Peter Mayle, French Lessons. Other suggestions from George that got attention: David Friedman, A Mind of Its Own: A Cultural History of the Penis, and Robert J. Lifton, Superpower Syndrome. Oh, and Paul gets to celebrate his return to the fold by suggesting the next book.

George's e-mail: Surprises in the Family Tree (NYT).

George's e-mail: Surprises in the Family Tree (NYT).

New website for book club

Well, today's news is that I finally got around to setting up this website for the book club. There's not much on it at this point, but we can add stuff as we go along. Send me your ideas. Also check to make sure your e-mail address is correct.

The next meeting will be 6:00 PM, Monday, January 26. I suggest we go to Osteria I Nonni in Lilydale.