The September meeting of Wine and Words Book Club was held on September 24th at Linda’s home. She served a delicious pear and grape green salad with Mexican corn and bean soup. Sandie provided strawberry pie for dessert. We gave a toast to our dear friend, Kathy, who passed away in June. We recalled memorable recipes of Kathy’s and Sandie asked members to share them with her so she can add them to Kathy’s blog at www.kathykaiser.info.

The book for this month was Beyond Belief, the Secret Lives of Women in Extreme Religions and the consensus amongst those who read the book was that it was quite interesting. Several members chose not to read the book or had yet to finish it. The best part about reading this book was that it led to a lively and lengthy discussion about our own religious experiences.

The book for October is Beautiful Ruins, by Jess Walter. We chose this book in honor of Kathy, who read it and loved it.

The book for November is The School of Essential Ingredients, by Erica Bauermeister, recommended by Ann.

The book for December/January is Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher: The Epic Life and
Immortal Photographs of Edward Curtis, by Timothy Egan, recommended by Pat.

Other book suggestions are listed below. Books for the rest of the year will be chosen at next month’s meeting, so please look over the list and read the reviews in preparation for choosing books for 2014.

Book Club Meeting Schedule:

October, 2013: Pat’s home and she will provide dessert, since she will be gone in January

November/December: TBD

January, 2014: Jan’s home with Linda providing dessert (switched with Pat)

February, 2014: Cindy’s home, Jan provides dessert

March, 2014: Karen’s home, Cindy provides dessert

April, 2014: Ann’s home, Karen provides dessert

May, 2014: Kay’s home, Ann provides dessert

September, 2014: Sandie’s home, Kay provides dessert

Book suggestions:

Wench, by Dolen Perkins-Valdez, recommended by Ann

The Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop and Café, recommended at personal reading by Linda, but not for book club.

The Telling Room , by Michael Paterniti, recommended by Kay

Bookman’s Tale, by Charlie Lovett, recommended by Kay

The Imperfectionists: A Novel, by Tom Rachman, recommended by Cindy, who couldn’t put it down.

The Snow Child, by Eowyn Ivey, is book chosen for September by another book club (Katie O)

Turn Right at Machu Picchu, by Mark Adams recommended by another book club

Four Fish, by Paul Greenberg, recommended by another book club

Sacre Bleu: A Comedy d’Art by Christopher Moore

Dead End Gene Pool: A Memoir, by Wendy Burden recommended by Ann

The Lost Art of Mixing, by Erica Bauermeister, is a sequel to The School of Essential Ingredients, recommended by Ann

Joy for Beginners, by Erica Bauermeister recommended by Ann

Off the Beaten Path, by Terri Peterson Smith, recommended by Ann