Peyton Place by Grace Metalious

"Indian summer is like a woman. Ripe, hotly passionate, but fickle, she comes and goes as she pleases so that one is never sure whether she will come at all, nor for how long she will stay."

The first two sentences of this 1956 book set the mood and gives a nod as to why this novel was such a blockbuster yet at the same time labeled as sleazy and low brow literature. The story of Peyton Place is one of lies, deception, rumor, hypocrisy, social & class privilege, adultery, repression and the dirty little secrets, both open and hidden, of a New England small town. The main story follows the lives of 3 women who come to terms with their identity as women is the stifling atmosphere of small town America. There's also the surrounding cast of characters who add their voice, the town's old timers, the Old Doc who is the moral beacon of the town but has his own flaws and secrets. The novel is basically a primer for every soap opera that has been or is on television today.

I told my 88yr old grandma that I was reading Peyton Place and she said that she can remember "clear as a bell" the furor and uproar that this novel caused. She said that it was the book that you talked about in whispers at dinner parties. By today's standards, Peyton Place is fairly tame but I can see why it would be banned by the Canadian government 50yrs ago.

I recommend it, it's a good retro-read.

Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang by Kate Wilhelm

Wilhelm is a Northwest author I enjoy. I usually read her mystery stories. She writes a lot of legal thrillers that always include talking and figuring things out over a wonderful meal. Some incredible menus and ideas for meals in her books. But, they were starting to seem like 'formula books'. So, I looked at other books she may have written and found this one. This is probably one the best novels about cloning ever written. Wilhelm wrote this book in 1976, way before we started reading about actually cloning reports in the papers. This is a story of an isolated post-holocaust community determined to preserve itself and civilization. They do this through their experiments in cloning. The book is detailed in its science and encourages a deep look at humanity.

The Darkest Evening of the Year by Dean Koontz

Always enjoy his books! The power of this novel lies in the genuine compassion that Dean Koontz exhibits through Amy (the main character) and her love for and near obsession to rescue both people and dogs from abuse and neglect. Amy Redwing operates Golden Heart, a Golden Retriever rescue service, that brings her to the home of abused housewife and mother Janet Brockman. Amy and her close friend Brian McCarthy rescue Janet, her two kids, and their retriever Nicki from Janet's abusive husband. Immediately, Amy recognizes a seemingly supernatural connection with Nicki, the golden retriever. And soon after, Amy discovers that she is being followed. Fast paced - fast read. Left me thinking about good, evil, and souls.

Into the Forest by Jean Hegland

Have you ever chopped up jalapenos and felt the burn of the oil on your fingertips hours later? sometimes into the next day? This jalapeno of a book has left its mark on me and every so often the residue burns at my subconscious and I start to think about it again. I loved this book! It is not a nice story, in fact it is truly frightening in light of the times we are living in. Riane Eisler had this to say,"A work of extraordinary power, insight, and lyricism, Into the Forestis both an urgent warning and a passionate celebration of life and love." I can't say it any better. The back cover describes the story:

"Eva, eighteen, and Nell, seventeen, are sisters, adolescents on the threshold of womanhood - and for them anything should be possible. But suddenly their lives are turned upside down, their dreams pushed into the shadows, as sickness and anarchy rage across a country on the brink of collapse. In a time of suspicion and superstition, of anger, hunger, and fear, Eva and Nell are left to forage through the forest, and their past, for the keys to survival. They must blaze a new path into the future as pioneers and pilgrims - not only creatures of the new world, but creators of it. Gripping and unforgettable, Into the Forest is a passionate and poignant tale of stirring sensuality and profound inspiration - a novel that will move you and surprise you and touch you to the core."

I highly recommend this book.

Haunted by the wack-job who wrote Fight Club, Rant, Choke

Think Stephen King on acid.


The BN synopsis is: Haunted is a novel made up of twenty-three horrifying, hilarious, and stomach-churning stories. They’re told by people who have answered an ad for a writer’s retreat and unwittingly joined a “Survivor”-like scenario where the host withholds heat, power, and food. As the storytellers grow more desperate, their tales become more extreme, and they ruthlessly plot to make themselves the hero of the reality show that will surely be made from their plight. This is one of the most disturbing and outrageous books you’ll ever read.

I agree, insanely disturbing and outrageous but I kept reading wanting to know more, wanting to know why. Since they are short stories, the reading goes along fairly sickly, I mean quickly. As I know all of you will be jumping at the chance to read this book, I'll bring it to our next meeting and make you ladies fight it out like the characters in the book.

The Tender Bar by J.R. Moehringer

Book Club...usually the light of my month, ended up being a chore this month, another appointment in my week, a whimper at the end of my day. It was not the company, I always love seeing everyone. I just went into the meeting with a heavy sigh and a bad attitude. Not our usual pot-luck feast - we simply had wine and dessert, which by-the-way I was supposed to MAKE and ended up calling in a favor from Bethany at the last minute to pick something up for me.

The book was well-liked by everyone except me. I struggled to read this book and I struggled to put into words why I hated it so much. I am not the one who should be doing the write up on this book, I honestly welcome anyone else to do this book review justice.

After the book review and a rousing political discussion (where I had more unpopular opinions, I might add) we descended into talking about home, kids, parenting...(sigh) I come to book club to escape home, kids, parenting. I like talking about books and literature, politics and world views. I want to know what everyone else is reading? What do they want to read? I spend enough time thinking about my house, my kids, my parenting, homework, laundry - I want to expand my brain a little. Maybe it is just my stinky attitude this month, maybe I have become a complete and total book snob, maybe this climate of economic and political fear has made me really, really cranky and edgy or maybe I just really want to relax once a month and talk about the second love of my life - books. Am I way off base, what do you think?