Tahnee lives in a luscious, cozy and very zen wood loft in Honomu. We could hear the river babbling from the kitchen! Despite our group being comprised of many liberal, environmentally minded type folks - none of us carpooled to her house or bothered to fully read her email before coming that encouraged carpooling! Well, our karma caught up.
As we were beginning to nest in Tahnee's perfect abode, she got a call from her landlord stating that ALL OF US needed to move our cars into town. So, as understanding book clubbies who fully can understand why she wants to keep her current housing (we also know she needs a secure love den for when her Italian man comes to visit next month), we trooped out and moved our cars into town.
What I thought at first was a crazy, aggressive drunk lady trying to flag us down in town, ended up being Tahnee's very nice landlord who was offering to give us a ride back to the house so we didn't have to walk. She explained that there is a neighbor who is a bit lolo about parking and such. Anyway, most of us were happy to take the ride. Some of us (including me) didn't want to impose and thought the walk would be refreshing. Kim of course came prepared with her headlamp so she was ready to go! As the landlord's car passed us, it began raining...so then we really got some refreshing running back to Tahnee's safe hideaway.
Not only did this event make the night a bit more memorable, but it was also the first time NO ONE in the book club read the nominated book, Slaves in the Family. The holiday season I think made it especially difficult for us to read this 500 something page book about plantation life. Melissa swears she is going to read it at another time. Maybe she can give us a summary of the highlights.
The food was pupu heavy, which was fine since we all seemed to be ravenous. The feature dish this time was byMeredith (I'm beginning to be suspicious about her proclamation that she hates to cook). She made Artichoke Dip from a super top secret recipe. It was tangy, not too creamy,
not too oily, but just right! Tahnee made a hearty spinach cheddar quiche, perfectly congealed. (I am now realizing I would make a terrible food critic).
We had five books nominated:
White Tiger by Aravind Adiga
The Emperor's Children by Claire Messud
The Gravedigger's Daughter by Joyce Carol Oates
House of Many Gods by Kiana Davenport
And the last one, I can't remember but it was an unusual love story written in the fantasy genre by a female author...was it Anna Quindlen? Help somebody!
The final selection was between White Tiger and The Emperor's Children. The writing styles of both authors grabbed us, but I think the shorter page numbers of White Tiger won us over (February is a short month!).
Katie will be hosting our discussion about the Tax Inspector in February. Wednesday work best for her so the date is WEDNESDAY February, 11th at 6:30.
Also mark on your calendar - February 22nd - Oscars Night at Melissa's! :) Formal dress wear is mandatory (silly formal dress wear that is!). So start watching those movies and head out to the Goodwill to pick up your rhinestone backless gown. Partners are invited to this party, so go ahead and arrange for a babysitter if you need to so you can let loose!
