No Fear of Flying

This month's book not only describes the world of the flight attendant but also provides a perspective on the changes that women have experienced in the work world over the past half century or so. We've definitely come a long way, baby, but we've still got a long way to go.

I enjoyed reading a blog that discussed the book and offered some similar titles that might interest others -- wink, our own flight attendant. Here's the link: http://www.tedeytan.com/2008/02/19/215

The Help

There's so much background information available about "The Help" and the author. Kathyrn Stockett's website has reader guides for bookclubs and other information that will make the book more meaningful. I especially enjoyed the Q&A on her website. That and Katie Couric's interview (below) provide insight into the author and her life in Mississippi.

Guess what? There's a movie! The movie is slated to be released in August 2011, too.

Wondering what to eat with the River Why?

Fish — of course. That's what topped the menu for our discussion of The River Why last Friday night. Laurence prepared a delicious salmon pate. Great food accompanied lively conversation on the characters, H20 and Ma's marriage, Gus' isolation and infatuation with Eddy, and religion!

Apparently the movie's release date has not been determined yet although it was screened here in Athens, Ga., last fall at the EcoFocus film festival. Maybe it will come back?

In the meantime, enjoy our menu and the trailer below:

STARTERS
* Salmon and avocado
* Cheese and crackers

MAIN COURSE
* Salmon pate
* Beef stroganoff
* Green salad with fruit
* Steamed asparagus
* Rice
* Hush puppies with jalapenos
* Homemade bread

DESSERT
* Chocolate mousse
* Chocolate candies
* Apple spice cake

BEVERAGES
* Aquinas Napa Valley Merlot
* Macon Lugny les Charmes
* Herbed tea

Dreefees and Other Questions

I've been thinking about things in this month's book, The River Why, and wanted to share some questions and random musings.

When my son was small, he would want me to lie down with him until he fell asleep. He would talk and talk about his day. Soon he would be drifting towards sleep and would say the most magical things -- making astute observations about the world or explaining how the world works. Then like a light switch, the chatter would end and I would hear deep rhythmic breathing in the dark.

I was reminded of those times as I read Bill Bob's explanation of the world at "Tucking Time." So I put a few questions forward.

What do you make of Bill Bob's explanation and need for "dreefees"?

What about his teleology -- the design of the dual worlds of us and shadow and the Queen?

Why do you suppose Gus never wants us to know where his river is? Do you think this book is somewhat autobiographical?

Living Alone -- The River Why

Gus Orviston imagines life alone, spending each hour fishing. He decides to leave his family and live in a fishing shack along the Tamanawis River to do exactly that. His dream turns out not to be quite as Utopian as he thought it would be. So here are my questions for you all to ponder:

>> Have you lived alone?

>> What did you think living alone would be like before you did it?

>> How does reality compare to what you imagined?

>> What are the pros and cons of living alone?

>> If you have never lived alone, what do you think it would be like?

Blurbs for Jan and Feb Books

Every two months, I'll post the blurbs members compiled when we were deciding which books to read this year. See January and February below.

JANUARY: The River Why by David James Duncan

I found out about this book 20 years ago from listening to a bunch of young guys talking about how much they loved this book. I am not a fisherwoman, but it was really good. My Mother also loved it. You can get it from amazon for under $11 new or under 4 used.

Review: This coming-of-age tale of Gus Orviston's search for the Pacific Northwest's elusive steelhead, a metaphor for Gus's internal quest for self-knowledge, appeals to all who cherish a good yarn and memorable characters. Leaving behind a madcap, fishing-obsessed family, Gus decides to strike out on his own, taking refuge in a secluded cabin on a remote riverbank to pursue his own fly-fishing passion with unrelenting zeal. But instead of finding fishing bliss, Gus becomes increasingly troubled by the degradation of the natural world around him and by the spiritual barrenness of his own life. His desolation drives him on a reluctant quest for self-discovery and meaning, ultimately fruitful beyond his wildest dreams.

FEBRUARY: The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Set during the nascent civil rights movement in Jackson, Miss., where black women were trusted to raise white children but not to polish the household silver. Eugenia Skeeter Phelan is just home from college in 1962, and, anxious to become a writer, is advised to hone her chops by writing about what disturbs you. The budding social activist begins to collect the stories of the black women on whom the country club sets relies and mistrusts enlisting the help of Aibileen, a maid who's raised 17 children, and Aibileen's best friend Minny, who's found herself unemployed more than a few times after mouthing off to her white employers. The book Skeeter puts together based on their stories is scathing and shocking, bringing pride and hope to the black community, while giving Skeeter the courage to break down her personal boundaries and pursue her dreams. Assured and layered, full of heart and history, this one has bestseller written all over it.

Book Picks for 2011

Here's the list of books that the Book Club of Our Own selected to read this year:

January/The River Why by David James Duncan

February/The Help by Kathryn Stockett

March/Working the Skies: The Fast-Paced, disorienting World of the Flight Attendant by Drew Whitelegg

April/Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier

May/The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
(Photo of Henrietta Lacks and her husband, David, left)

June/Franklin & Eleanor: An Extraordinary Marriage by Hazel Rowley
(Photo Roosevelt, 23, and Anna Eleanor Roosevelt,20, his fifth cousin once removed, several months after their March wedding. May 7, 1905, Newburgh, NY, left)

July/Desert Queen: The Extraordinary Life of Gertrude Bell: Adventurer, Adviser to Kings and Ally of Lawrence of Arabia by Janet Wallach
(Photo of Gertrude Bell, left)

August/I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith

September/ The Book Seller of Kabul by Asne Seriestad

October/Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett

November/The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
(Photo book cover, left)

December / Book Selection Party for 2012

Rose in a Storm

I am a fan of Jon Katz' books. Not just because I have a border collie or love dogs, but I enjoy his writing style. I do recommend reading his book Katz on Dogs if you have a dog (love the title!!).

For Christmas, my sister gave me his latest book Rose in a Storm. She even got it signed by him when he gave a reading at her local public library in Glenfalls, NY. The book tells the story of a border collie, Rose, often from her perspective. It was interesting to think about how a dog perceives the world, including us. Reminds me a little of this Gary Larson cartoon, although more insightful!

The Start of a Fish Tale

I wouldn't have thought a book about fly fishing would be so engaging but it is.

While I am not far into the book yet, I love the characters: the cowgirl-bait-using mom, aristocratic-fly-fishing-purist-British dad, fishing-obsessed son number one, and water-repellent son number two.

Last year we picked several books by Barbara Kingsolver and several by Pat Conroy to discuss. That gave us a chance to discuss books written at different times in the authors' careers and how they treated fiction and non-fiction. I had considered suggesting that this year we pick a couple of books that deal with marriage but didn't. Now we have a chance to look at how marriage is treated in different books. The portrait of this couple will be an interesting contrast to Franklin and Eleanor later in the year!

I have been enjoying the humor and wanted to know more about the author, so I googled him and found the following: My Advice on Writing Advice by David James Duncan.

At any rate, I loved his advise to aspiring authors:

"My very best, most financially useful writing advice to those who show extra spirit, the way you're doing, is this: If you want a sane work life, economic viability, happy family, home, flat abs, nice ass, reliable car, health insurance, and teeth, DON'T TRY TO WRITE BOOKS AT ALL! STOP NOW!"

— Kat Cason