Holiday Cheer - Night in Review

What a wonderful night. Plenty of food, friends, games, gifts and yes, a little bit of book talk too! This was the first time almost all of us were together (we missed you Shell and hope you come back in 2011!)

Show us your ornies!

Consensus seemed to be that the Help was a worthy read, full of hope and struggle. Despite most of us enjoying the Help, it was actually discussed very little! We had other things on our mind like earning Book Bucks, celebrating Meredith's big news and hearing about Julie's Ipad.

The best part of the night for me the year in review - but not just revisiting the books we've read, but recounting all the significant life events that have occurred in the lives of our bookie group of women. It was amazing what some people remembered!

After selecting the book for February, we all snuggled into the coaches for a new tradition of an ornament auction, and of course our long time tradition of the White Elephant Gift Exchange.

The highlight this year were the patent leather red platform boots, selected by Rebecca but swapped by Tahne!

Thank you all for such a special night. And in closing, our quote of the night:

"Vicki, what is it that you drink in those little jackets?" - Stephanie

Night in Review - Time Traveller's Wife

Good food, good book and FUN elephant exchange!

Meredith was the hostess with the mostest. Though self-admittedly she hates to cook, Meredith created a yummy veggie pasta for us all to feast on. There was a bit of a salad competition going on between Kim's organic tasty salad with calamata olives and Rebecca's salad with fresh Korean pears. We had roasted rosemary potatoes, fresh honey biscuits and carrot cake. (I was really happy about the left overs).

There wasn't too much discussion on the book. Some people found the writing a bit corny, others didn't like the ending or certain parts that were left unexplained...but all of us that read it whizzed on through the book and found it entertaining. We all felt bad for poor Ingrid.

As usual Meredith had some great books to nominate, but in the end I think it was Katie's reading excerpt that used the word "arse" repetitively that sold the winning book.

Here were the most tempting books:

Out by Matsuo Kirono

Beautiful Children by Charles Bock

Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski

The Tax Inspector by Peter Carey

The winner was...

the Tax Inspector by Peter Carey

The highlight of the night was of course the White Elephant Gift exchange.

Most coveted items? a white lacy, vinyl table cloth; Smart Women postcards; and a wind up mouse that flips (which Moses later had fun with...poor mouse.)

However, Katie by far received the gift of the night:

Next Book Club is Monday, January 5th at Tahne's house in Honomu. We will be discussing Slaves in the Family (at least those of us who aren't reading Twilight).

Book Club Gift Exchange

During our December 8th get together we will be doing a White Elephant Gift Exchange. Bring a regifted, silly or otherwise wrapped package for our 3rd lively gift exchange!

Origin
The name "White elephant" originates from an old Burmese cultural reference to the value of an albino elephant, which is considered sacred and must be well taken care of, despite the financial burden that it may bring to its owner. Therefore, the gifts exchanged may be large, delicate and/or utterly pointless for the recipient (e.g., a huge stuffed animal for someone who lives in a small apartment).