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 17, 2024

James by Percival Everett (Estelle)

Everybody liked James, a retelling of Huckleberry Finn from the viewpoint of Jim. It's quite a tour de force, full of insights about race relations, language and class, and American culture and history.  Seen through the aurhor's eyes, several familiar tropes, involving minstrel shows and how to talk in "mixed company", are funny and engaging.  The restaurant served great food and the service was impeccable. Our next book is Homelands: A Personal History of Europe by Timothy Garton Ash.  Other titles considered were James McBride's The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store and Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go.  The next meeting is set for Tuesday, May 28, with Dick in charge of searching out candidates for the next book.

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April 16, 2024

One Summer, America 1927 by Bill Bryson (Online)

An interesting book about the year 1927 but it could have been organized better since it jumps back and forth, descrbing the unfolding events of the year.  Also, it is something of an update to a classic book written in 1930 by William Allen White. It's always fun to read Bryson, however, so it was well worth the time.  The next book is James by Percival Everett, and the following book will be suggested by Roger.

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