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.

November 19, 2019

The Power and the Glory by Graham Greene (Hickory 'n Hops)

Well, the restaurant proved to be a little disappointing, more of a tavern specializing in BBQ than a full-on restaurant.  We did have a quiet space and could give the book some real attention.  A classic novel by a leading 20th century writer, the book recounts a bloody period in Mexican history when leftist authoritarianism tried to stifle Catholic traditionalism.  We liked the story telling and the character development, and we gave it high marks.

Many of our group will be traveling out of town over the next few months, but we determined to meet next time as a rump group anyway.  The book is Robert Byron, The Road to Oxiana.  Other ideas included Janet Flanner, Paris Journal 1945-55, Nikos Kazantzakais, Zorba the Greek, Lawrence Durrell, Bitter Lemons, and Richard Powers, The Overstory.  Meeting date TBD, probably in mid December.  Next book selection falls to Max or Bill (in case Max is away).  We'll work it out.