"Mama said there'd be day's like this...."

Some days just lend themselves to hunkering down with a good book. This is one of those days. I have several to chose from, with all the Most Excellent Book Groups we have with the book choices and not to mention reading my phone........ so I'm going to start some soup simmering and snuggle in with my bff (doggie) and do the only thing this day expects of me. Oh no! Snow plow just went by - expectations of me just increased! We'll ignore that....

Zippy

Recently the third Saturday group read She Got up off the Couch by Haven Kimmel. For some reason I cannot stop thinking about this book or maybe it is the book club discussion I can't stop thinking about. Either way, I feel there are things about this book I want to discuss further and my husband, son and dog have no interest in talking about it with me.

The biggest sticking point for me is that I found this book very funny, laugh out loud funny in some parts. However, there was a portion of the members at book club who did not find the book funny at all. I ask myself am I insensitive, did I miss the point, is my sense of humor gone? Zippy is a fun and interesting character. In some parts I thought I was reading my own biography. In other parts I wished I had been as daring and sassy as Zippy.

Another point I want to discuss is how other people related to the book in a less serious way. What I mean is not that many of us are from humble beginnings or challenging families of origin but that most of us grew up at a time when as children we could roam a bit. Personally, I would often leave the house in the mornings and return only for meals. I would wonder in the woods, crash at friends houses, swim in the one above ground swimming pool in the neighborhood, play in the cow pasture, ride my bike everywhere, and come home covered head to toe in dirt. And no one wondered where I was or looked for me. I loved it. I was free.

The other key ingredient to this book was Zippy's relationships in the community. I loved her tales about adventures with friends. I had a childhood friend just like Rose. She was perfect and her family seemed perfect. It never occurred to me to be jealous of her; I only felt love and admiration. It also never occurred to me to ask why my friends's parents always so willingly allowed me to come spend the nights at their house instead of their children coming to mine. I preferred it that way.

I guess the thing I loved about this book was the tone of the book was one of a child experiencing her life with only a small amount of adult perspective. So often it seems memoirs written about difficult childhoods are just depressing (don't get me wrong, I love to read a morose story about a bad childhood). But I appreciate that this story is funny and made me reflect on the happy times of my childhood. And a take away message that where we end up is not completely determined by where we start.

"To Kill a Mockingbird" is a "Disgrace"and that's no "Catch 22" I have no idea what I'm supposed to be reading.....

I'm off my schedule. Saturday would mark the day when I should begin reading "To Kill a Mockingbird" with gusto. Well, wait a second, I started it earlier and took a break and read something else (off list!). I've hit a wall I'm afraid. I found a book I'm loving and I'm not wanting to read book club books for now and this is the first time this has happened. I've been a good girl up to now. For 18 months I read the book I was supposed to and honestly with everything else in my life I rarely had time for another. Book Club #2 came along and I squeezed that one in. Now I never get to read something I just pick out myself. I'm not the speed reader some of you are, and I have a complicated lifestyle that doesn't allow a lot of time for reading these days (It used to). So back in June we read The "Elegance of the Hedgehog", and group #1 read it in August, thereby freeing up reading time for a book of my own choice. The joy! The sheer delight of it! It spoiled me. I listen to you speak of all the books you read and I envy you. Now I am having trouble jumping back on the Book Club wagon. I must. "To Kill a Mockingbird" is considered the best book ever written in a book poll of the librarians of the United States. Did you know that? I've read it before, seen the movie umpteen times and absolutely love it. But I discovered a - hold on here - you've seen the commercials...there are more that 85, 000 aps for an iPhone and one of them is Kindle. That reading thing - I don't even know what to call it exactly. But I'm not even caught up in reading a book - I'm reading my phone right now, and I better hurry. First Editions meets in two weeks and I better be ready for it.

"Can't find anything to read?"

I had so many great book titles emailed to me I was going to print them all here to have space for them all. But changed my mind. I thought more of you would read an email and get to see what each other reads. There are more books here that I haven't read, than I have. That is why I am the organizer and you guys are the members. I procure a venue and gather a crowd, and you people read the best books! So here is a partial list on the side bar of what you folks have sent me so far. Many of you have love for the same classics - To Kill a Mockingbird being a number one pick among most, and there were many I had never heard of, but plan to look for. There is a lot of great reading here and we should never have to say I can't find anything to read! There are still lots of beautiful days left, grab a book and a place outside!

"If Lyn can do it, in the wind on an iPhone, so can I"

What a special late afternoon it was for me! I got an invitation (generic email) to join the Steven Colbert Forum whatever it would be called and I wanted in on it! I filled out the form. Everything was going swimmingly...until the section where I had to put in my password. It insisted I didn't know it. It insisted over and over until I wasn't sure myself. I then tried to join using a different email address. I became obsessed with this inability to remember my password. I tried every password I could possibly have used. I failed my security question. It was now dinner time. I quickly threw something together and my husband ate it. Success! Ever onward! The quest wasn't over yet. I was more determined than ever. I spelled my password so many times I 'm not sure I could spell my name if I had to. It became a situation of is my first name my last, my last my first? My password my username? My username my maiden name? By 8:00 I was fried and I decided Steven Colbert didn't deserve me. At least not today. But tomorrow I begin anew. I will not be brought down by this password battle. I will be one of Steven Colbert millions of minions and proud of it. All I need is the right password. Then there is probably the secret handshake and the pledge. If anyone knows this please email me with it - and my password - please tell me my password - I want in this club dang it!

"Yikes! Only one of these is on the reading list!"

What a great response we're getting from people and their favorite books! I've read many, but there are a lot I can't wait to read and have never heard of. I hope I can stretch time, as my Mother used to say, and find the time to read them all. The problem with book club, and it's a big one , is there are only twelve months in a year - only twelve chances to pick something wonderful to read. That's why I suggest you join as many groups as you can, to get in as many books as you can read in a month, and still get in your own personal list (pile by the side of your bed) read. It isn't easy, but we must get it done as our quest for the written word grows, so does this pile by my bed.

Omnivore's Dilemma

Has one of the book club selections had a strong enough impact on you to lead to changes in your life or behavior? The recent selection, Animal Vegetable Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver had an impact on my life. When I first saw the selection I thought it would be a preachy book about how we should all love the earth more. I was expecting a far left fanatical book that would leave me resentful. Instead I found an informative and easy to read book that I thoroughly enjoyed.

After reading Kingsolver's book, I read Michael Pollan's Omnivore's Dilemma and In Defense of Food on the suggestion of Aaron. I found both books much better than Kingsolver's book. The stories in the books were more interesting and the information about the food industry was more complete.

So how did this change my life? My family eats differently now. Before, I never bought organic and I ate whatever animal products I wanted. I did not think much about the source of my food (other than I got it at King Soopers). Also, it never occurred to me to think about how my purchasing decisions could impact the food industry. Really, I just wanted the least expensive food that still tasted good.

After reading these books my goal is now to have at least 50 percent of my family's food be organic and/or local food sources. Almost all animal products in our home are now organic and/or local. I get our meats from Rocky Plains and buy organic milk and eggs. Also I used the farmer's markets way more this summer and make most of my son's baby food from the vegetables there.

Now some may say, 50 percent, that isn't very good. But I believe in moderation in all things: thoughts, beliefs, politics, religion, exercise, finances, and yes the food I eat. For me the Kingsolver book club selection created a lasting change in the way I think about food. I am happy to have discovered a new way to look at the world.

""Tiki Time"

It was a meeting of a different sort. A lot of late cancellations. A book that, while we liked the subject and thought it well written, left us dry and as dusty as the writer who hitchhiked across the 7.000 miles of Australian Outback. But it was a shoot from the hip, sort of time that I have occasionally and I guess I get to have one of those every now and then. A totally unorganized meeting. You see, we had a present to give Annika, for her baby that is on it's way. Sounds simple doesn't it? Well, it isn't as it turns out. We (Jon, our party planner and I) wanted to spice things up a bit, and then I didn't know what order to have things, and of course we always want it to be a surprise..... Pretty soon there were doilies all over the table, Jon insisted there be doilies, and he brought great chocolate, and I brought his next demand which became a craft project of sorts - tiki huts - personal take home size. Then there was the gift unveiling. Fun, fun, fun. Book discussion! The reason we're there, remember? Whew! We of the Longmont Book Club are nothing if not party people. We take an oath to never pass up an opportunity to have a good time/meeting! Tiki time!

"We'll Call It My Pet Project"

"Book Club Day" tomorrow. I've been preparing for some time now. This one is particularly special. I can say why because I'm pretty sure no one reads this blog, so I can say almost whatever I want to and no one will see it. What freedom! Our member in good standing, Annika, is very pregnant and we are giving her a baby gift tomorrow and she doesn't know this. I try to keep it a surprise. In fact if she or someone who reads this and knows her - keep it a surprise but tell her to come to Book Club. As usual I now have the fear she won't feel good, as pregnant women tend to do, and won't come tomorrow. This time has been made even better with the help of Jon, Our newly elect Official Party Planner. He has had a lot more input than I ever expected he would want to have (to say the least), and I have been running around trying to keep up with his demands. Of course he is the one I delegated this to, right? HHhmmm.. something's not right here..... there is a backwards thing going on...... Later on I'll print out a "guest list" try and find a reading guide or something like it online and print it out. I'll wrap Annikas presents which have all been personalized with a certain book club "something". If you've ever received one you know what I mean. I'll type up our notes and announcements of which there are many, but we just don't have time for all of this and still have a meeting! I have reports of members behaving badly! A scantily dressed woman, a picture from the paper, just might be a book club member - needs further investigation, and an "ales for females" article, just who is on the membership list of this organization? Definitely needs looking into. Note to self - check with Alan on this. Much goes on behind the scenes. These meetings just don't happen by themselves! So it's my "Book Club Friday" and a special one with a party planned. See? I have a life!

"Too Hot and Icky"

Sometimes I like something that is an odd thing to "like". Like really hot Mexican food. So hot you practically can't taste the food, only the "hot". Sort of like something is so ugly it's cute. Well, it can be that way with a book sometimes. Sometimes I can really "like" a book that is really a bad story. A story of violence or war or hunger and poverty. I don't think that makes it a bad book. One of the books coming up soon, "Disgrace" is written by an pretty hot author right now. J.M. Coetzee. He's been around a long time, but is getting a lot of notice lately. Disgrace is not a nice story, and the male lead can be decided by the reader what they think of him, that's not the point. But when I first started reading it, what first came to my mind, even though it's nowhere in the beginning of the book was "oh yea, people are living in cardboard boxes in South Africa..." I think every now and then we need to be reminded of things like that. It wasn't violent or perverse but it was probably a negative I needed to have in my head, at least for a while. I need to remember there are people that live in cardboard boxes, as a way of life in South Africa, in Longmont they have the luxury of living in them just in the winter. So if you think a book is just "too negative" or "awful" to have in your head - maybe you need a kick-start in your head for a reason. I'm not saying what it is or even if you do, just to consider it for a moment before you rule it out, maybe there's a reason it's been put out there for you.....

Another Blogger?

Julie offered me the opportunity to add posts to the Longmont Book Club blog. I am very excited to add to the discussion! Since Julie is an expert and offers wonderful insights on her life and the goings on of bookclub members in her posts, I think I will try to stick to the topic of books.

In case you do not know me, I am April Driver and am a member of the third Saturday group. In December my first child was born, a son named Jack. He is now nine months old and is into everything. I am married to Christian and live in Erie. We moved to Colorado five years ago. I love the Colorado summers but as the fall rolls in I miss my South Carolina native land with its warmer climate.

I love to read. It is really my only hobby and I will read almost anything. My two favorite books are To Kill a Mockingbird and In Cold Blood. A few of my other favorites are: The Red Tent, The Road, Charlotte's Web, The Glass Castle, and anything by Dorthea Benton Frank. I could list at least 20 more books.

I really enjoy being a part of the book club and all the varying opinions on life and books that are discussed. If anyone is up for it, I think it would be fun to continue those discussions here.

I look forward to future posts. If anyone has any suggestions of topics you would like to see covered, please post your ideas in the comment section.

"Good For A Laugh!"

An old friend found me on facebook. An old friend. It's really scary. I knew him when we were both in our early twenties. Now our age has doubled and fortunately, while my IQ is probably the same, Charlie may have lost a few brain cells. Don't get me wrong, he was a blast, still is, probably. The picture you are looking at is one of the funniest people I know, and I know a lot of really funny people. I worked in radio, writing commercials. Some of the funniest people are found there too. But Charlie could always make me laugh, and that was my favorite thing about him. A friend who can do that is someone really special. Hang on to them for life! So, I hung around with Charlie, this was before he looked like Jeremiah Johnson - I just killed a bear- Mountain Man. For a couple of years we had a great time. But the problem was he started looking like - "I just smoked too much weed" - so I moved on. Then he found Jesus (not that there's anything wrong with that) and became a fundamentalist Minister and got married to a sweet young girl from Iowa, and started having children with Biblical names and schooling them at home. He would call me every couple of years, this is how I know this. He always said, and I love this part, "You are the standard I measure all woman against". Every time he called he had another baby on the way. Every couple of years another baby on the way.... so that means, are you counting with me? The man in the picture who is about my age is about to have his 9th child. His youngest is 4. Imagine me, with a 4 year-old. I can imagine me with a 3 year-old. His name is Nate and he is my Grandson. Now he isn't a Minister any more, he's moved on to other things. The last time I talked to Charlie I asked him, he with the baby due in November, if he was going to have any more. He said, oh, yea, whatever the Lord wants... AARRGGHH!! This is not my business, thank the Lord, but it still makes me go AARRGGHH!! I guess there's a reason I moved on, I wasn't built to be the mother of nine children, THAT I know for sure! But he really made me laugh!

"First Editions Has a First Anniversary!"

Today was the first Anniversary party for the First Editions and I get excited about that kind of thing! To think that an off shoot has been successful, and I was afraid to start a Book Club in the first place, thrills me to death! Anybody that knows me, knows I love a party so, we partied a little before our usual segment when we talk a lot! I hope they liked it. I like doing it and I hope the book club will last forever. My daughter will have to wheel me in in my wheelchair through the doors of Borders - still in business despite the bad economy, and all the regulars will still be there. All the babies that everyone is having will have started there own Jr. Chapter. We'll have to change our name to Old Editions or maybe Rare Editions...I like that one.