Sunday, January 8, 2017

Here I Am by Jonathan Safran Foer



The Locale:  Gina's


The Book: Unfolding over four tumultuous weeks in present-day Washington D.C., Here I Am is the story of a fracturing family in a moment of crisis. As Jacob and Julia and their three sons are forced to confront the distances between the lives they think they want and the lives they are living, a catastrophic earthquake sets in motion a spiraling conflict in the Middle East. At stake is the very meaning of home–and the fundamental question of how much life one can bear.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31434269-here-i-am



Sarah's Summary:  
We had a fun meeting on the 8th to discuss "Here I am" at Gina's house. She put on a lovely spread of baked ziti, salad, challah, and a dessert of truffles and a homemade version of Italian wedding cookies (?). It was all delicious! We missed a few of you and hope we can catch up next month!

I don't think anyone really loved the book but it sure was a good discussion. I know I said this at the meeting, but the whole book made me uncomfortable; I felt I was too intimate a part of marriage and it bothered me. Not many of us were in love with the characters, either. It's one of those books I'm glad I read but I don't necessarily think I'll recommend it to my friends.

We meet next at Jessica's house to discuss "Hillbilly Elegy" by J.D. Vance on February 26th. I hope you can all make it!

Kristine nominated 3 books for her March/April meeting and "The Book of Joy" won. We haven't picked a date yet but I imagine it will be either late March or early April. Laura is up next to present- please send your choices out about a week before we meet at Jessica's. Tassy is on deck and Jolynda after Tassy.

I hope everyone is enjoying this unseasonably warm weather and had a nice long weekend!


The Vote:  
Kristine presented...
  • Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult 
  • What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions by Randall Munroe 
  • The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World by Dalai Lama XIV, Desmond Tutu, Douglas Carlton Abrams     WINS!!!

Up Next: Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J.D. Vance @ Jessica's on February 26th.

Next to Present: Laura

Then: 
  • Tassy
  • Jolynda
  • Carmen
  • Brenda
  • Susan S
  • Lori 
  • Gina 
  • Sarah 
  • Susan H
  • Jessica 
  • Kristine 
  • Laura