We are seven handsome and charming* guys who meet at a different restaurant every month or so, having read a book in common, and discuss whatever we want--generally the assigned book, but usually many other timely topics as well. We rotate the responsibility to suggest titles, but the group has the final say. Our book club rules: 1) Anything goes, fiction or nonfiction; 2) paperbacks are preferred; and 3) staying under 300 pages is desirable (N.B., we violate this one all the time). We rate all books and restaurants on a 5-point scale.

* All other adjectives were vetoed.

August 31, 2009

Oliver Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout (Mancini's)

We met at Mancini's where two political fundraisers were going on and had surprisingly mediocre steak and fish dinners. Fortunately, Elizabeth Strout's, Olive Kitteridge, was much better fare and we gave it a high rating for its character development and simple honesty. Next up (October 26) is Jane Smiley's A Thousand Acres. Other books considered: Bad Land by Jonathan Raban and Driftless by David Rhodes. The next book will be suggested by Roger.