The May 19, 2011 meeting: Discuss "The Egyptian" by Mika Waltari

This was selected by Louis. We'll meet at Jessica's where there may be a mystery guest (not sure). The Egyptian was published in the US in 1949 and is 512 pages long. Its author is Finland's best-known writer, and so  this selection qualifies as belonging  to the previous topic of "books by Scandinavian Authors" , as well as the current topic of  "Historical Fiction".

"Waltari successfully combine[s] research, imagination, and the cunning of a good tale-teller in bringing the generation of Akhnaton to life.” —New York Herald Tribune

"A grand immersion into an epic tale." —Philadelphia Inquirer

Unfortunately, there is no Kindle edition :( 

The March Meeting - scheduled for 4/7/2011

It will be at Louis's house, and there we'll discuss the last book on the topic of "Scandinavian Writers." This book is "Italian Shoes" by Henning Mankell. Mankell continues to write literary fiction in addition to his popular crime series starring Swedish policeman Kurt Wallander.

In this book, an elderly ex-surgeon has all the time in the world to ponder his failing health, wasted training, lack of empathy, potency and company. After amputating the wrong arm of a woman with bone cancer, he has spent the last 12 years alone on an island in the Baltic. Still, he cannot escape illness.

Our next topic is "Historical Fiction."  There's sure a lot to choose from, but so much out of print, and few in Kindle format. 

Happy Birthday, Louis - 12 April

The February Meeting is now scheduled & rescheduled for Thu 24-Feb-2011

The book was long, but not that long :) We will discuss "The Long Ships" by Frans Bengtsson. This is on the current topic "Scandinavian Authors."  It is a work depicting Vikings in the tenth century and could be described as an epic tale of adventure! I wish I'd read this as a boy, as it fits right in with the Arabian Nights and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

December's meeting -- "Woman With Birthmark" Next meet 2/24/2011 at John's.

We conducted our gift exchange which was terrific fun with some good deal of thought obviously involved. I just love my dragon, and admire Jessica's book and Barbara's Houdini wine bottle opener. Drew got socks, Linda a lighted page magnifier with LED light. John got a lovely bottle of Zinfandel from a favorite vintner of Linda's that is in Sonoma.

We talked about the book and ate a repast of Mexican Food, lovingly provided by our hostess, Barbara. She was assisted by Sam and Buddy (aka "Diablo").

Cheers! Have a Happy and Safe Christmas!

Inspector Van Veeteren Mystery: Woman with Birthmark - Dec 7 @Barbara's

Dinner at Jessica's was a great Texas treat - grilled beef steaks, Caesar salad, red potatoes, and succulent steamed mushrooms with key lime pie with a graham cracker crust!

Discussion of the book "Out Stealing Horses" was tame, as we all pretty much liked it, so not a lot of controversy.

The next meeting will find us discussing Jessica's selection "Woman with Birthmark" by Hakan Nasser, another fine Norwegian writer.
Happy Thanksgiving to all !!!!!!!!!!!!

Nov 4,2010 at Jessica's - "Out Stealing Horses" by Per Petterson

For our third selection of the six-month topic of "Scandinavian Authors" we are reading "Out Stealing Horses." This coming of age novel in the harsh Norwegian countryside  was first published in 2003, and voted "One of the best ten books of the year" by the New York Times Book Review.
   If you have read, or are reading this, or have any other comments, we'd love to see them. Just click on the "comments" button :)   We now have 'reactions' buttons which right now are "funny," "interesting," or "cool."
Thanks for looking!!

Help -- Anybody know what's on the porch?

I can't figure out something that is described in KO Dahl's novel "The Last Fix." The question is about the "Palace."

When  goes to Frølich goes to Gunnarstranda's country cabin for barbecue,Gunnarstranda is sitting on the porch rolling cigarettes. To his right is something with a cap and arms, but it's never explained what it is.

This is in the chapter called "Palace" which is what Gunnarstranda calls the cabin.

Thanks for any help.