Since our September meeting was canceled, the October meeting was our first meeting of the year. The meeting was held at Linda’s and everyone attended. Linda served a wonderful mixed green salad with walnuts, cranberries, pears and Lemon Love dressing, accompanied by a delicious butternut squash and ginger soup.

Everyone read the book for October, Hillbilly Elegy, and enjoyed the book. Linda lead the book discussion and we also compared our childhood experiences. Linda thought the ending was rushed and Sandie wished there had been more political commentary. The reference to CTE’s in childhood were discussed, because many of us were raised in households with issues similar to J.D. Vance, such as alcoholism, constant fighting, drug and physical abuse, and step parents. Sandie mentioned she enjoyed the audio version of the book, which was narrated by the author. (Note: Tunein Premium is a monthly subscription service, which Sandie uses for audio books and Rick uses to listen to games on the radio, through his hearing aids.)

The book we had chosen to read during the summer, Life After Life, was also discussed. Some members liked the book more than the book for May by the same author, A God in Ruins.

Several members read and enjoyed The Hidden Life of Trees.

Cindy read The Hidden Lives of Owls and enjoyed it very much.

Your Heart is a Muscle the Size of a Fist, is the Whatcom Reads book for 2018, with events scheduled for March 8-10. Tentatively set for February.

The Chaperone, by Laura Moriarty, recommended by Karen. This will be our book for April, 2018.

Nudge, by Richard Thaler, recommended by Jan. This is our book for November, 2017.

The Soul of an Octopus, recommended by Jan.

The 5th Chinese Daughter, recommended by Jan.

The Good Earth, by Pearl S. Buck read by Cindy. This is a beloved book by many, written more than 85 years ago about a Chinese family in the 1920’s. Here is a little excerpt from Amazon.com about the author:

…The Good Earth…became the bestselling book of both 1931 and 1932, won the Pulitzer Prize and the Howells Medal in 1935, and would be adapted as a major MGM film in 1937. In 1938, less than a decade after her first book had appeared, Pearl won the Nobel Prize in literature, the first American woman to do so.

The Gentleman in Moscow, recommended by Cindy. This is our book for December/January.

The Diplomats Daughter, recommended by Ann.

Hamlet Fire, recommended by Kay.

The Secret History of Wonder Woman, recommended by Kay. This is our book for March, 2017.

The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend, Linda good summer read

At our May meeting, we will each read and share a book of choice.

Our next meeting will be on Nov. 21, at Hearthfire Grill at 5pm. Linda will make reservations.