Cool site with links for Guernsey!

I just started looking at this site and there is a neat map of Guernsey complete with links to all the places that were mentioned in the book... with interesting facts and pictures!
CLICK HERE

laughing...

I'm laughing while eating my scrumptous roasted yam and bitter greens salad that I made for tonights bookclub meeting!!! Yes, I did indeed make the mistake of driving out to Lisa's house on the wrong night. It's going to make me giggle all night I think!

www.bookdepository.com

Hey Gals, I hope you have all had a great summer. I know we all like to buy our books (or even better, borrow) local when we can, but I have just discovered the Book Depository online. It had some curriculum books that I needed, at a price considerably less than elsewhere. Here is the kicker... NOOOOO taxes and FREEEEEEE shipping!!! My order arrived in 10 days. Trivia: They are located on Guernsey Island, which is also the setting of our October book:) See you all soon.

September Book Club Meeting

Hi all,

Hope that you are all having a great summer!

Just a reminder that we will be meeting at my house in September to discuss your book of choice from those Yann Martel has been sending to Stephen Harper. See full list. I was pleasantly surprised to see that Stephen Harper has now replied to six of the 54 books that he has received.

Choose one of the 54 books listed and give a quick review on why you picked it, what you thought about it and whether or not you would recommend it and why.
September 28th
730 PM at my house – 1946 Left Road, Courtenay (email for directions if needed)
250-703-2966

Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Lisa

Mr. Hooton & The Gals

Wow. Matthew Hooton is one impressive cat! I think all who attended Tuesday's meeting would agree that it was a fabulous night. Matthew was very gracious and generous, and he had a great sense of humour to boot! I'd like to thank everyone who attended for your great questions & gorgeous food. I couldn't have imagined a more perfect evening!

Hope you all enjoy the pictures...we're sporting some pretty big grins! (Apologies to Jemaica who arrived after we caught the photos.)

PS To Sue and Sue, who both contributed to the gift certificate for Matthew but didn't get a chance to attend our meeting, he seemed genuinely excited about going book-shopping!

Deloume Tomorrow Night!

Just a quick reminder that our Deloume meeting is tomorrow night! If anyone is up for bringing something gluten & dairy free for dessert, it would be welcome! Otherwise, just bring your fine self! We'll be in the back yard so you may want to bring a sweater in case it gets chilly.

Looking forward to seeing you all!

Deloume Meeting

Hi Ladies!

(This post was emailed to everyone, but I thought I would post it here in case anybody was missed...)

Next Tuesday is our Deloume Road Book Club Meeting with Matthew Hooton!!! Hope you enjoyed the book.

I'd love to get a sense of how many will be in attendance next Tuesday and what you'll be bringing. I know it's not our usual style to plan the meal ahead of time, but if you could let the group know if you're bringing a salad, appie or dessert, then I can fill in any gaps. (Summer-fare...even better if we do it oven-less!)

I was thinking that I'd invite our club to come at 7:00, and I'll tell Matthew to arrive around 7:30. I'm guessing we'll probably spend less time mingling and get into the discussion after we've had a bite.

Please have a question in mind to fire at Matthew. He's expecting to read a little excerpt from the novel, then take questions from us. I know some gals were reluctant to have a prepared question and take turns asking them, but rest assured that it won't be like poetry night where the spotlight is on us, the spotlight is on Matthew! It'll just be good to have a launching point for discussion, but I'm sure it'll be very organic and relaxed!

Oh, one last thing. As luck would have it, I've been scheduled to have a minor eye (lid) surgery Tuesday afternoon, so if you see me wearing an eye patch, don't be alarmed. It isn't a pirate party. ( Be kind.)

This will be fun!

Karen

PS

I'm at 1838 Buena Vista Avenue in Comox

White house nearer to Church St. than Anderton

Come right around to the back yard when you arrive!

Book of Negroes to lend?

Hi Gals,

Awesome night last night! Thanks Jenn for hosting. You have a beautiful home! Great food too! Did someone say cheese? YUM! I've been looking through Yann Martel's book and decided that Metamorphosis might totally bum me out- didn't realize it was about a man turning into a bug. Ick. Also, I really want to read The Book of Negroes over the summer. Does anyone have a copy you'd loan me? Please e-mail me if you do: esther@estherkane.com

Won't be at May's meeting :( because will be in Toronto visiting family but hope you gals have a great time and see you in June!

Hugs,

Esther

Deloume on Chek

Hey all, Matthew Hooton will be talking about Deloume Road on CHEK 6 TV, Thursday at 6:30pm.

Barack Obama and Yann Martel

So, even though Stephen Harper isn't too keen on Yann's suggestions, Barack Obama and his children loved Life of Pi.

http://www.abebooks.com/blog/index.php/2010/03/01/yann-martels-personal-note-from-barack-obama/

what is stephen harper reading?

just picked this book up today from library and i already love the premise. mentioned in the introduction is the website he started which has all of the books and the letters he's sent to our prime minister (and will continue to do so every 2 weeks for his time in office). makes me want to run out and read each and every one that he is recommending... great pick for may! so, if you cannot get the book in time, read from this site:

http://www.whatisstephenharperreading.ca/

Deloume Road-it's official!!!

I'm excited to announce that Matthew Hooton is going to come to our book club meeting on Tuesday, June 22nd!!! Yippee!!! (I'm happy to host, by the way.)

Let me know if you want me to include you in my Amazon order by this Friday.

What a great way to celebrate the summer solstice!

Also, Matthew wanted me to pass on the fact that he's doing a reading with Yann Martel in Victoria on April 27th. http://www.munrobooks.com/events.cfm

Deloume Road Update

Success! I've begun a conversation with Matthew Hooton and he is honoured that the Afictionados have chosen his book to read. The good news is that he would like to come to our meeting; the bad news is that he's going to be tied up with book readings and his UK launch for the next couple of months. Also, there are no book deals to be had through him, but he suggested going the Amazon route & taking advantage of the free shipping.

At any rate, he seems keen to make it happen, so I'm hoping that his next communique will contain a potential meeting date. (I'm guessing June or September.)

In the meantime, I think Melanie had a back-up book suggestion for May, but I've forgotten what it is. Anyone?

I'll keep you posted on the Hooton front. Have a great week!

Deloume Road

At our last meeting, we decided that we'd read Deloume Road, but we didn't schedule a date just in case we could coordinate it with a visit from the author, (or at the very least a public reading in the area.) I just wrote a note to Matthew Hooton on his facebook page, inviting him to an Afictionados meeting as our honoured guest. (It's too bad I didn't have any photos of our typical spread of fine food, wine & chocolates to entice him!) At any rate, I'll let you know if he makes contact.

Thanks Kathy!

Enjoyed the conversations last night... thank you very much Kathy for hosting!

Share a copy of last months book?

If anyone has a copy of Outliers to lend please bring to Kathy's tomorrow, I didn't get a chance to read in February. Thanks!

Amanda

While you're reading Still Alice...

here is the latest Alzheimer's 2010 Facts & Figures:
http://www.brainfitnessforlife.com/alzheimers/alzheimers-disease-2010-facts-figures/?refcode=HN0001

Any interest in 'Deloume Road?'

Did any of you ladies read the article about Highland grad, Matthew Hooton's debut novel Deloume Road?

http://www.randomhouse.ca/newface/hooton.php

I'm intrigued! The reviews are excellent and it is being compared to Alice Sebold's Lovely Bones, which I thoroughly enjoyed. It's still in hardcover, but you can buy it for under twenty dollars through Amazon.

If people are interested in reading it, I thought it might be fun to contact Matthew and see if he could attend our book club meeting. (He has family in the Valley, so it might not be such a longshot!)

What are your thoughts? Do we have a book for June yet?

where's the next one?

Hello Gals,

Thanks to Marci for an awesome evening! And great to meet new gals too! Who's hosting this month?

Thank you Marci!

Really enjoyed our evening at your beautiful home Marci - thank you for hosting!

STILL ALICE... book available!

Hi guys... read this book in three nights... staying up WAY too late. Would anyone like to borrow my copy? You can email me at craftedpassions@shaw.ca or call me at 250.338.9909 (I live in the Huband Road area). Cheers! Jennifer

Invitations

Just wondering where we're at in terms of inviting guests to book club meetings. I know that last year we had put a hold on bringing new people into the fold because our numbers were so large, but since a few of our members are taking a break, does anyone object to me inviting a good friend to come along next month?

Books to consider for 2010 (March onwards)

Hi again,

These books came up during our chat at Jenn's as possible reads for upcoming months:
- "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett
- "The Golden Mean" by Annabel Lyon
- "Bright Shiny Morning" by James Frey
- "Veronica" by Mary Gaitskill
- "Four Pillars..." by Ken Follett
- "Youth in Revolt" by C.D. Payne
- "Stones Into Schools: Promoting Peace with Books" - sequel to "Three Cups of Tea" by Greg Mortenson

Good price on books!

Hi Gals,

Esther here again. Just wanted to let you know that I got "Still Alice" for $6 on Chapters.ca and
"The Help" was around $16. And of course, I just had to buy another book to qualify for free shipping...you know how it goes. Thought the prices were really good though...

Thanks Jen!

Thanks Jen W. for a wonderful and cosy evening the other night. Great company, discussion, and food! You gals rock! Was great to meet Heather too and hear all about her Australian adventure. Looking forward to next two books.

Esther

Apologies

Happy 2010 everyone!

I just wanted to apologize to Jennifer W. for NOT sending out an rsvp about Tuesday's meeting. Sophie had a high fever & gross cough & book club just wasn't on my radar. I heard that it was a great evening and I'm sorry I missed it. It seems as though scheduling conflicts and winter bugs have kept me from attending the last few meetings, but I'm looking forward to seeing everybody at Marci's next month. (By coincidence, I'm reading Outliers right now and I'm finding it really interesting.)

Have a great month!

Karen

February 23rd Bookclub: "Outliers"

Hi all,

I'm looking forward to hosting a non-fiction night in February at my place. Malcolm Gladwell's "Outliers" is the book and I'm sure it will generate lots of great discussion.

Hope to see you on the fourth Tuesday in Feb (Feb 23rd). Please come anytime after 7pm. I would prefer to send out a map to anyone who needs it (rather than post it here), so please rsvp and I will send out directions via e-mail. (Or, if you're not sure if you can make it but need directions just in case...let me know by e-mail and I will send them out: mjc@sfu.ca)

Marci

Happy New Year Everyone :)
I would love to get the blog updated for at least the next three upcoming meetings, can any information known about book selections or hosting, and any other info to be shared, be emailed to me and I will post all here in the sidebar.

Sorry for not getting to this sooner, my brain is still on holidays. Hope everyone enjoyed theirs!
Amanda