Readers in the Rough Highlights

 Already this year, 2024, our book club has voted for one book that received a vocal unanimous vote. This book is a memorable ride through life in 1952 on the back of a horse. I couldn’t wait until January to give you this title. It is a must read for every woman young or old.

THE RIDE OF HER LIFE: THE TRUE STORY OF A WOMAN, HER HORSE, AND THEIR LAST-CHANCE JOURNEY ACROSS AMERICA by Elizabeth Letts.

Can you, in 2024, even imagine getting on a horse and traveling from the East coast to the West coast without a map, without a phone, no GPS, no relatives to contact in case of an emergency, and very little money? Then join Annie, Tarzan her brown gelding and her faithful mutt and begin the journey. I assure you that you will not be disappointed.

One book “The Thursday Murder Club”  by Richard Osman, intrigued the majority of us into reading all four published books in that series. For a light enjoyable series of murder mysteries filled with plot twists, character development, a setting in an “old folks home”  and a woman named Joyce who gives her two cents worth on a regular basis, you may decide to read all four books this fall. 

READERS IN THE ROUGH HIGHLIGHTS

A par rating must meet the following criteria: a solid plot showing person against person, person against self, person against society and/or person against nature. Beyond plot development it must show character changes, a theme or take away that we can discuss and understand, a point-of-view and voice that lends itself to telling the story. One underlining element is that it must be a worthy topic for our group. 

We then give the books a numerical rating:

1 bogey—does not meet the criteria but a few read it

2 par—meets the criteria 

3 birdie—meets the criteria for a par and creates a excellent discussion

4 eagle--meets the criteria for a par/birdie and is long remembered perhaps for different reasons, and highly recommended to others.

5 hole-in-one—meets the criteria above and rises to the top of expectations in plot, character development, theme and voice. This book will continue to be highly recommended to others.

2023 Highly rated books

One book received a “Hole-in-One” or 5 points and nearly a standing ovation—

LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY by Bonnie Garmus.

https://www.bonniegarmus.com/lessons-in-chemistry

Five books received overwhelming agreement for an “eagle” or 4 points:

REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES by Shelby Van Pelt

MAD HONEY by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan

THE MARRIAGE PORTRAIT by Maggie O’Farrell

LADY TAN’S CIRCLE OF WOMEN by Lisa See

TOM LAKE by Ann Patchett

The MAGNIFICIENT LIVES OF MARJORIE MERRIWEATHER POST received the biggest mix of votes : 3 voted for a Par, 3 voted a Birdie, 2 voted an Eagle, and 2 voted it a Hole-in-One. In the end, it received a “birdie” rating.

 

2022 Highly rated books.

No book received the highest rating in 2022. However, we did discuss and try to persuade one and another to vote this book as a hole-in-one. In the end, our votes added up to an “Eagle” rating for--

THE LINCOLN HIGHWAY by Armor Towles

Curiously enough “9” novels received a BIRDIE rating which is still quite a compliment to the authors.  Our readings took us from Africa to the Pink City of Jaipur India; from Nebraska to NYC; Oxford, England, to Iceland; Paris and to Bombay; the Sunset Strip in LA to J.P. Morgan’s vast library in NYC.

These novels received a “birdie” rating:

THE HENNA ARTIST by Alka Joshi

THE NO.1 LADIES’ DETECTIVE AGENCY by Alexander McCall Smith

THE DICTIONARY OF LOST WORDS by Pip Williams

MEET ME IN BOMBAY by Jenny Ashcroft

DAISY JONES AND THE SIX by Taylor Jenkins Reid

THE SECRETS OF THE SPRAKKAR by Eliza Reid

THE PERSONAL LIBRARIAN by Marie Benedict and Victoria Murray

A MOVEABLE FEAST by Ernest Hemingway

THE PARIS WIFE by Paula McLain

 

2021 Highly rated books.

THE FOUR WINDS by Kristin Hannah received a ‘hole-in-one” vote with one person voting it a par because the ending was so very difficult. Sometimes stories of the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression strike too close to our hearts.

The “eagle” ratings went to:

THE ROSE CODE by Kate Quinn

 

2020 Highly rated books.

LILAC GIRLS by Martha Hall Kelly received a “hole-in-one” rating.

Two book received an ‘eagle” rating:

THE TEA GIRL OF HUMMINGBIRD LANE BY Lisa See

THE DUTCH HOUSE by Ann Patchett

 

2019 Highly rated books.

No book received a “hole-in-one” rating.

Three books received an “eagle” rating:

BEFORE WE WERE YOURS by Lisa Wingate

THE ONLY WOMAN IN THE ROOM by Marie Benedict

NEXT YEAR IN HAVANA by Chanel Cleeton

 

2018 Highly rated books

BENEATH A SCARLET SKY by Mark Sullivan

A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW by Amor Towles

Two books received an “eagle” rating:

EDUCATED by Tara Westover

KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON by David Grann

 

Between 2015—2017 I joined two book clubs and devoured some griping novels, some of which come under the new heading of “literary fiction.”

For more information on these books click here: Intriguing Readings  https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/7852702753078267542/4116389582679811196

 

Thank You, Daughter

A few weeks ago, I asked my daughter for help in rearranging, sorting, clearing, or whatever it took to give our home a new interior look, aside from painting. 

"I'm busy, Mom," seemed to be the response. Then a week later a letter arrived for me (Our tribute to Helen Stapp, grandma and mom is to regularly correspond through hand-written letters and thoughtful short notes.) 

Inside I found this picture and quote from daughter Katy.

 

I'll hold on to this picture from a magazine like I have so many others, and one day Katy will clean out my personal belongings and find these thoughts. 

Still, I wanted help, or more importantly I wanted to spend some time with my daughter.   On Labor Day weekend I attacked the hidden junk pieces that once had purpose or meaning, but now were pushed to the back of closets, crowded cupboards and bookshelves.

That was a simple chore, emptying and cleaning.

Then came the stacking, tossing, and sorting. When Jack walked by, he'd touch my shoulder, "Are you doing alright?"

"Ha!" I laughed.

Murphy hid under the dining room table and occasionally stepped out to say, "Let's go outside." 

One day later the cupboard was cleaned, refilled, and usable. Now the stacks remain to be given away. The garbage man picked up a load this morning, not knowing how many old memories were inside that green dumpster like the shot glasses we once used for a Julia Child book club dinner and discussion; The assorted yellowed napkins from seasonal parties, travels, and just for fun; The decorative pillows now faded and worn. All gone.

Once when a tornado destroyed a teacher's home in Kansas, she told us in the lunchroom that now she didn't have to worry about all of her mismatched napkins, kitchen towels, washcloths and other bits and pieces of her life. They were gone. I think I held onto to those items for her, but now I've told her story and given it all away. 

My heart felt the success of a dieter after losing five pounds in the first week.

I tend to be like a tick when it comes to completing a task. I take hold and don’t let go until it’s finished or I’m exhausted. Day two I began again pulling out decorative glassware, trophies, piles of seasonal flowers, and other decorative pieces. Now the house looked totally trashed.

On day three I began refreshing the woodwork before playing with books, bookends, and glassware. Day four continued much the same until Katy came down for lunch. Our treat to each other is a meal at The Greek House on Jenkins Street. They serve the most tasty lamb Gyros sandwiches in the USA.

With both of us full and stories shared, we returned home and looked at the surroundings. Katy looked over the shelving and made a few suggestions. She likes a more asymmetrical approach while I like balance, but we agree on colors, splashes of uniqueness, and keeping it simple.  

She took a few candles and said good-bye.

Alas, in the middle of the night, I smiled in my sleep as I pictured what I needed to do.  Funny how we look at life on this side of the hill. I have a voice in the back of my head that says, “How many more years will you be around to enjoy this moment, this item, this book, this garden?”

It is a helping voice. It helps me focus and appreciate living in the moment.

That is how it came to me that night. I’ve never displayed my golf trophies, unless they held flowers. With all of them sitting on the dining room table I realized that I’d better enjoy them now.

Days later, I am still arranging and rearranging our living room bookshelves and mantle, and I think I have it settled in my mind’s eye. With the white highlight (thank you daughter for the color splash idea) I should be able to decorate for the holidays around what I have up and not have to take this down until the next time I become tired of the scenery.

 I did express myself....and hopefully, shared bits and pieces of our family life. 

Thank you Katy.