Ay ay, Captain!

Dear J'aime bloggers,

Our new captain for the next six months will be Jessie. I am so excited for her to help us all get going and reading together. She will be working on the new schedule. Please let her know what month you would like. If you have any questions, feel free to contact either of us.

Take care!
Melissa ~ J'aime blog founder

Anyone for reading Tom Sawyer?

OR

I thought we might just get back on track and revive the book group with a classic. My son is reading The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and I thought it might be fun to read along! So how about it, we can discuss it around the 20th of September. Either that or The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen by Syrie James
Let's also pick someone for the next two months following...
October and November and I vote we break in December and start up again full swing in January. All in favor? Say Aye!

Who's next?

Hi all,

Just wondering who is picking the book for August? Or should we just start again with September. I was looking back, and Michelle was originally doing July, back before things got pushed back. And then Kyla and Crystal volunteered. Is everyone still up for it? And what books have you chosen? Hope all is well!

Lisa

Wow this book was nothing like I expected it to be. This is the first Richard Paul Evan's book I've read and I want to read more. I really enjoyed it. The story was beautiful. It was a quick read (which is great when you have four kids in the background.) It was inspiring and interesting and gave me all kinds of wild and crazy ideas to look forward to someday fulfilling... So, on to the questions...

1. Sunflowers appear throughout the story, from the name of the orphanage (El Girasol)to Christine's wedding decorations to symbols found in the ancient Temple of the Sun in Machu Picchu. What does the image of the sunflower represent? What does it mean to Christine in particular?

2.Describe Christine's transformation from the beginning of the story to the end. In what significant ways does she change? When Christine and Paul leave Makisapa Lodge
after she recovers from her illness, the walk through the jungle no longer frightens
her. "She knew she was not the same woman who had marched into the jungle the
week before" (283). Why is Christine not afraid this time?

3.Paul successfully weathered the simultaneous lawsuits brought against him by the
families of two patients who died in the ER under his care. Why then did he give up his career as a doctor and leave the United States to travel around South America? What draws him to El Girasol and then compels him to stay on as director of the orphanage?

4.Why does Paul share the story of his mother, who is dying from ALS, with Christine?
When Christine returns to the orphanage at the end of the story, why does she repeat
to Paul the phrase ("Love is stronger than pain") that he used when telling her about
his parents? How does this sentiment apply to their situation?

5.In the Epilogue, the narrator who began the story reveals that Paul and Christine have married and settled in a Dayton suburb with Pablo and Roxana. What was your
reaction to finding out that Paul chose not to continue running the orphanage? What
purpose does the narrator serve?

6.When Paul learns that he is to see Christine again as a result of Jim's accident, he writes in his diary, "Fate has a way of cutting corners" (195). Do you believe in fate?


7.If you were the New York Post what would you write as a comment to your readers about this book?

8.How would you compare this book and it's message with that of Three Cups of Tea?

Spinach & Sunflower Salad w/ Orange Vinaigrette

The perfect salad for entertaining -- a kaleidoscope of colors with textures ranging from sweet to salty and silky to crunchy. Dressing can be made 2-3 days ahead and refrigerated.

5 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate
1 tablespoon sunflower oil
1 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
1/8 teaspoon salt
8 cups spinach, washed, dried, and trimmed
½ cup beets, drained, sliced or julianned
½ cup mandarin oranges, drained
¼ cup feta cheese, crumbled
¼ cup caramelized sunflower kernels



Combine vinegar, orange juice concentrate, oil, oregano, and salt in a small bowl and whisk briskly.

Pour dressing over spinach and toss until spinach is coated. Equally divide spinach onto 4 salad plates. Arrange beets, oranges, cheese, and sunflower kernels evenly on each salad.


4 servings

Per serving -- Calories: 207; Total Fat: 14 g; Carbohydrate: 13 g; Sat. Fat: 3.5 g; Dietary Fiber: 5 g; Cholesterol: 14 mg; Protein: 9 g; Sodium: 355 mg; Calcium: 210 mg

the sunflower

For July we will read the Sunflower by Ricard Paul Evans and discuss it toward the end of the month! Happy 4th of July!

I don't know why but I can post comments when it appears right after the post. So annoying. Just put me in the next open month!

Am I supposed to pick a book? I can't remember if I am on the schedule....someone let me know please. Thanks Crystal

Guernsey Discussion!!

Hi all, I know I am a few days early. Don't stress - I just wanted to take a break from unpacking and get this done while I was thinking about it.

I really hope you had a chance to read this book, as it is now one of my very favorites. I really did love everything about it. Oh, I am going to put my answers in the comments section, just so I don't ruin it for any of you who haven't read it yet. Here are my questions for you . . .

1. What was your experience reading a novel composed entirely of letters? Are there types of information or emotion that letters convey more successfully than other forms of expression?

2. What were your first impressions of Dawsey? How is he different from the other men in Juliet’s life?

3. In what ways are Juliet and Elizabeth kindred spirits? Do you feel like Juliet replaced Elizabeth? How did Elizabeth change those on the island?

4. What historical facts about life in England during World War II were you especially surprised to discover? Are there ways in which fiction can provide the means for more fully understanding a historical reality?

5. Which member of the Society was your favorite? Whose literary opinions are most like your own? Do you agree with Isola that "reading good books ruins you for enjoying bad ones"?

I can't wait to hear what you thought!!! And if you can't find it at the library, I would spend the $7 on the paperback, since it is one you will want to keep.

PS. Go here to enter a for a free bookclub trip to Guernsey.

Book for June . . .

Hi all! Just a reminder about our book for June, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, by Mary Ann Shaffer. It is such a wonderful book in every way, that I really hope you all read it. It really is that great. And, if you can't find it at the library, it just came out in paperback, and I would suggest buying it, as you will want it for your personal library.

And I was thinking, since we are a little behind schedule, why don't we have the discussion for this book on the 28th of June? It would really help me out, since I will be in the middle of moving to North Carolina in the middle of the month. Hope that works for you all!

Happy Reading!!

Usually a library fan, however...

I need to vent and this seems like the appropriate place, as I'm sure you fellow book lovers will relate.

Normally, I love the library - I go for fun and enjoy finding new treasures. I also love to put things on hold or grab the latest recommendation from a friend on Good Reads.

For the past few years, I've lived in areas with wonderful libraries. It has never been a problem to get a book. I am now living in a town in eastern Idaho where I assumed the library system would be just as convenient and book-lover friendly. Not at all.

For a town with the slogan "America's Family Community" their library system needs some serious work. Here has been my experience - I want to read a book. I try to check it out - never can get it the day of as it is always checked out. So I put it on hold. Already three holds. WHY? Because the entire Library district only owns one copy of every book.

Don't get me wrong - I am lucky to live in a place with a library. It just amazes me that for classics and popular books you have to wait two-three months to read it. And with the library fines around here, you think they could do better.

Anyway, that is my vent. That is also my reason for taking forever to read book club books. I am just now reading Christy - only two months later.