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.

January 31, 2014

Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool (Amore Victoria)

On a snowy night, five of us gathered at Amore Victoria, a place in Uptown offering a large menu of Italian dishes which we judged to be above average in quality but not in price.  We discussed the history of school closings, Mark Dayton's future, and other assorted topics.  Our book, a young adult prize winner entitled Navigating Early, garnered two strong endorsements and several Bronx cheers from us.  The fans said it was a cross-over book of distinction; the critics said it was jumpy, ill-written, puzzling, and boring.  Our next meeting is Monday, April 7; we're reading Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes.  Other books suggested were Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra and The Orphan Master's Son by Adam Johnson.  Bill will suggest the following book.
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