Book Club 08/28/10...

I've been in a pretty awesome book club for a couple of years now, and I think it's time I start blogging about it. We meet once a month, alternate houses, eat, drink and ACTUALLY discuss the book. I love book club because I get to read a lot of books I wouldn't have chosen for myself so that broadens my literary horizons. I also love talking about the books and find that the discussion can actually change how I originally felt about the story or characters after I'd finished reading. It's a great bunch of amazing women and we have all become friends over books.

This meeting's book was "Sarah's Key" by Tatiana de Rosnay. The book is historical fiction and takes place in 1942, Paris. The historical focus is the round up, arrest and deportation of thousands of Jewish families who were first held at the Vélodrome d'Hiver and then transported to Auschwitz. The story is told from 2 perspectives, the first a little girl effected by the round ups and the second a modern American woman living and working in Paris as a journalist for more than 20 years. I did not like this book. It kept my attention, so it wasn't all bad, but overall it just didn't do it for me. I like really well developed characters or a well thought out and creative story. Give me both and I'll have a new favorite. This book had neither. It also lacked a hero. Both lead female characters in the book were weak. I'm not going to get into lengthy book reviews here but if you have a question or an opinion, please share it with me here.

This meeting's snack was Basil Palmiers. I made these and they were delicious!We read a book that mostly took place in France so I chose a French appetizer. They were full of fresh basil, garlic and parmesan cheese. I had the chance to use my new Magic Bullet for the first time to pulse the ingredients together and it was awesome. I highly recommend the Magic Bullet. From margaritas to pesto with just the twist of the wrist!