Independence Day by Richard Ford (Margaux)

The book: Independence Day by Richard Ford; the place: Margaux, a French/American bistro in downtown St. Paul. The book got pretty mixed reviews, but was well liked by some and got a good discussion going about the characters, plot, and writing style. The restaurant was mostly a pleasant surprise. Regarding the next book, the group was pretty evenly split between Red Azalea, a memoir of Mao's China by Anchee Min, and The History of the World in Six Glasses, by Tom Standage, but the Min book prevailed in the end. We'll meet on Tuesday, August 15, and Roger is on deck to suggest the next book.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon (Cafe Twenty-Eight))

Curious Incident of the Dog was mildly popular, evoking a discussion about autism. The restaurant, 28 Cafe, received pretty good reviews from five, but was panned by two (avoid that pork chop, folks). Next book (July 17): Richard Ford's Independence Day. Runners up: Pablo Neruda's Memoirs and Edward Wilson's Future of Life. Jim suggests the next book.

A Woman in Berlin by Anonymous (JP American Bistro)

Six thumbs up for this month's book, A Woman in Berlin, an anonymous, frank account of the immediate aftermath of the fall of Berlin in 1945. JP American Bistro proved to be a very popular dinner spot. The next book is Mark Haddon's Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (May 30).

Walking Across Egypt by Clyde Edgerton (Dinner at Paul Solon's)

We read Clyde Edgerton's Walking Across Egypt, a light tale set in
Carolina to which we gave pretty mediocre reviews. One of us was downright hostile to the book. The highlight was a southern style dinner at Paul's house.

The Hunters by James Salter (Downtowner Woodfire Grill)

Rez had to miss the meeting due to a last minute work-related conflict, and Bill, well, he had to attend a meeting of his paperboy's stamp collecting club, or condo association, or something. Anyway, the rest of us had a fine meal at the Downtowner Woodfire Grill and discussed The Hunters, which some thought was a little dull, but all agreed was nicely written. Paul skipped the book (couldn't find it), but strongly recommended the movie, starring Robert Mitchum and Robert Wagner, which it seems was loosely based on the book. Next book: Clyde Edgerton, Walking Across Egypt. Other suggestions were Fitzgerald's Great Gatsby and Hitchings' Defining the World.

Plot Against America by Phillip Roth (It's Greek To Me)

We skipped a December meeting, but gathered at It's Greek to Me right after the new year. We had a passable meal and discussed the Roth book, Most of us were a little disappointed in the Roth book, which was beautifully written (and strongly reviewed), but whose plot simply petered out in an unconvincing conclusion.

??? (112 Eatery)

We met at the new restaurant, 112 Eatery, in the Mpls warehouse district. Even on a Tuesday night, it was hot! After we were seated, lots of people more trendy than us waited in line for a table. We had an interesting and spirited discussion about otherwise boring issues like faith and religion. Everyone agreed that the book club members most resembling our simian fore-monkies were Bill and Max. We also agreed to read Phillip Roth's Plot Against America and to meet on January 9.

Staggerford by John Hassler & In Patagonia by Bruce Chatwin (Mai Village)

Some of us actually read both of these books! Others, the distracted ones, read only one. It looks like the consensus was in favor of the Hassler book, but Chatwin also received respectable reviews. Some weren't sure where the Patagonia book was going. Nevertheless, Mai Village proved very popular in the culinary ratings.

Austerlitz by W. G. Sebald (Phil's No Name Boat)

We did meet on Phil's noname boat at Watergate. It was a cool, clear evening and we ate take out chicken and ribs from Famous Daves's up the road. Sebald's book evoked a spirited discussion and was rated above average by everybody because of its unconventionality and deep resonance on more than one level. We picked John Hassler's Staggerford and Bruce Chatwin's In Patagonia for our next meeting: October 11.

Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini (True Thai)

There was a pretty close consensus that Kite Runner was a good read that ran out of steam near the end. True Thai was rated average. Bill suggested the next book: Austerlitz by W. G. Sebald. Phil offered to host the next meeting on August 22 on his boat at the Watergate Marina, weather permitting.

Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond (Craftsman)

Jared Diamond's Guns, Germs and Steel was book-of-the-month. Most were glad we read it, but were unconvinced of its argument. Dinner at Craftsman restaurant.

??? by Thucycdides (Chaing Mai Thai)

The bookclub confirmed Thucycdides' reputation, and Chaing Mai Thai got respectable ratings.