The Locale: Sarah's
The Book:
Meet Ove. He’s a curmudgeon—the kind of man who points at people he dislikes as if they were burglars caught outside his bedroom window. He has staunch principles, strict routines, and a short fuse. People call him “the bitter neighbor from hell.” But must Ove be bitter just because he doesn’t walk around with a smile plastered to his face all the time?
Behind the cranky exterior there is a story and a sadness. So when one November morning a chatty young couple with two chatty young daughters move in next door and accidentally flatten Ove’s mailbox, it is the lead-in to a comical and heartwarming tale of unkempt cats, unexpected friendship, and the ancient art of backing up a U-Haul. All of which will change one cranky old man and a local residents’ association to their very foundations.
http://www.simonandschuster.com/books/A-Man-Called-Ove/Fredrik-Backman/9781476738024
Fredrik Backman
Sarah's Summary:
I really enjoyed our meeting Sunday at my house to discuss A Man Called Ove. I LOVED it! And am I so happy many of you felt the same way. Brenda said that she sometimes had "Ove" thoughts and a few of us admitted we had a little rule-following, grumpy man inside. I have to share with you that later Sunday afternoon I was walking Layla on the left side of the street, as one is supposed to. As we were walking, some rule-breaker was walking toward us on THEIR right-hand side of the street. For a second, I thought to myself, "Well, I'm on the correct side of the street, you need to move over!" I started laughing out loud, thinking OMG, I am Ove!! The difference: I smiled nicely at the rule-breaker instead of yelling at them. Ove- I laughed with him and cried with him. I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed it.
And speaking of enjoying Ove, the Swedish movie will be coming to Tallahassee for a limited engagement on December 9th at All Saints Cinema. I'll keep you posted!
We are meeting next at Susan H's house on November 20th to discuss The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara by David I. Kertzer.
Bring restaurant suggestions with you to our next meeting as we'll pick a place to have our December dinner. In the past, we've gone the first week or so of December as our calendars start filling up later in the month. How does Thursday, December 8th look for everyone? We'll confirm the date and location at Susan's.
Gina will be the next to host sometime in January. Many of us had already read The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (and if you haven't, do. It's very good.) so the votes were cast for the remaining two. Our next selection is Here I Am by Jonathan Safran Foer. Our book club read an earlier book by Safran Foer, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, several years ago.
FYI, his book was reviewed Fresh Air last month:
http://www.npr.org/2016/09/08/493116005/jonathan-safran-foers-here-i-am-is-both-dazzling-and-draining
He was also on the September 27 City Arts and Lecture series (aired today on WFSU) being interviewed. I couldn't find the link to the audio.
We missed you, Carmen and Laura! As a friendly reminder, if you won't be able to make the meeting, please let someone know your 1st and 2nd place choices so we have your vote. Every vote counts ;)
See you next month!
The Vote: Gina presented...
- The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
- The Nix by Nathan Hill
- Here I Am by Jonathan Safran Foer WINS!!!
Up Next: The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara by David I. Kertzer Susan H's on November 20th.
Next to Present: Jessica
Then: Kristine
