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.

April 11, 2014

The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes (Happy Gnome)

The Happy Gnome was noisy, but since only five of us were present, we could (mostly) hear each other talk.  We discussed the usual interesting topics: politics, state government, travel.  The book got a pretty good going-over, too, with a thumbs up from us all for chapter one, and mixed reactions for chapter two.  Some thought the depiction of the characters or their language was unrealistic.  Others were uncertain of the meaning of some plot elements.  At least it was an easy read.  The next book, however, is massive: Robert Caro's The Passage of Power.  Bill has helpfully identified four sections for us to focus on, essentially chapters 1-3, half of 8, and all of 16, 22, and 23. We'll meet on June 3 and Max suggests the next book.