December's Book

We will be reading Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks for December. The book was just released in September, so it is fairly popular right now, which means it may be hard to get from the library. I am going to see if I can buy it from Sams or Costco in the next few weeks so that we can try and pass it around.

December book thoughts

I am picking the book for December and I wanted to get your thoughts before I made my final choice. I am planning on picking something by Nicholas Sparks. If there is something that you have already read by him can you please let me know? Also, if there is something by him that you are dying to read let me know that as well. Thanks!

Thank you Triple B!!

Words can not express how much I appreciated what you guys did for me and my family.  I recieved your package in the mail yesterday at my sister's house and the emotions I felt were overwhelming.  I was having a singing contest with some of Christopher's friends on the playstation when someone handed me this package.  I told them, "Oh, no that goes to my sister from my friends back home."  Then my sister gave me the envelope to open and when I saw what you guys pulled off I started blubbering like a baby.  Needless to say, I did not do so well on my next round of singing. But no worries, I kicked some butt later.  At least I like ot think so.

Whenever my sister's family visited I always looked forward to seeing Christopher the most because that boy cracked me up.  His humor was unique and he was such a polite boy.  I remember, just this past visit when we were getting ready to go to Cedar Point I was out in the drive way and Jim told me to get one of the boys (Christopher, Ben or Luke--Christopher's best friends) to get the cooler out of the kitchen.  I called out, "Christopher."  and being use to having to call someones name multiple times before they actually answer you (Jim, Camryn, Leo) I made my way inside.  When I got in I could not find Christopher.  I only had to call his name once and he came right out.  I thought Jim could learn some lessons from him.  Youonly had to ask him once to do something for you and he did it without complaint. 

He also cracked me up.  The last time at Cedar Point after we all rode the Shy Hawk we were waiting around to see what ride we were going on next.  Christopher looked at me and put his huge Top Thrill Dragster by his hip like it was a gun in a holster.  He then said to me, "Do you want to see my quick draw."  and I said, "Yeah."  And I kept looking at his "gun".  A few minutes later he said, "Want to see it again."  I just busted out laughing.  Probably a little too hard because he and his friend Ben looked at each other like I was crazy. 

His funeral was busting at the seams.  It was really beautiful.  I will have to tell you some of the things his close friends said about him.  The overall theme though was his kindness.  Christopher was friends with everyone and made everyone feel good.  He was a great kid and out of all the phone calls I could have received that night, that one was not one I ever expected to hear. 

Thanks again for your kindness!  I have the best group of friends.  I will be at the next book club but can not promise I will be blubbering.

Little Bee by Chris Cleave

I have chosen Little Bee by Chris Cleave for September. It is also sold at Costco for $8.99. I had no problems checking it out at the Avon Lake Library.

Triple B 10 year Anniversary

So,  I was in the bathroom doing my thing and I thought, Wouldn't it be cool if for our 10 year anniversary as The Triple B Book Club we went on a 4 day Book Club cruise??? 


Our kids will be pretty old (Tara, your youngest will be 10) and it would be easy for us to take off for a few days.  We can start pilfering money from our husbands now to pay for the trip.  Sneak about $10/pay check... that would be $240 a year times 10. We would potentially save $2400 each without our husbands even knowing...

So, what do you think?  Would that be fun or WHAT??

Triple B Book Club Cruise 2019!!!!

Books and Movies

Ladies, if you mentioned a book or movie during last nights discussion would you mind repeating it here? I know there were some ideas I wanted to get down. I already put 2 movies on order with Netflix. I'm looking for some more book ideas. I have Withering Heights on the list (never had to read in school). I know I mentioned that Napoleon Dynamite was a terrible movie, rivals Ali for the worst movie I have ever seen. Don't ask how this relates to the book, it wove its way around to those names somehow. Don't try to argue with me either, it was ridiculously horrible.

By the way Anna, nice format to the blog. I love the intros but I'm almost insulted, mine was kind of nice.:) God love you for the creative genius and actual leader that you are.

August's Book

So, after being a total slacker for the past few months, I have finally chosen August's book. It will be, The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo by Stieg Larsson. It looks good...and you can find it at Costco for $8.00. How can you beat that?!?! :) I will pick a date and place soon. I'm thinking somewhere with a patio...

Let's bring the Book back into Book Club

Hi,
We will always have the booze and we still have the bitches but we need to make sure the books remain in the Triple B Club!


Well I was really disappointed to miss last Monday's book club. Those nights out are always top priority and my husband had to screw it up!  Bastard!!

Anyway, Marisa and I were talking about setting some casual guidelines for our book club meetings.  Obviously, we all love the social aspect of the club and the funny discussions we partake in that do not concern the book of the month.  We surely do NOT want to limit ourselves on those fascinating discussions.  However, I feel we need to focus a nice size portion of our time discussing the actual book we have read.  So, here is what I propose and I want to hear everyone's thoughts and opinions on my wonderful idea.

Proposed Book Club Scedule

Arrival and Greetings (10 minutes):  "Hi how are you?  OMG I really love that top you are wearing?  Did you have a nice trip?  My husband was late getting home and I swear I was about to castrate him right then and there!!!"

Small Talk while waiting for late arrivals (10 minutes):  "I am so hungry, what should I get?  Waiter can you get me a miller lite and keep them coming!"

Social Time and Food ordering (30 minutes): "I think I am going to go straight to dessert and forget the dinner."  "Well, remember a moment on the lips and forever on the hips"  "Who included this bitch into our book club!"  "May the schwartz be with you"  "Orlando don't you like it--it is autumn sunrise"  "I want my two dollars"  "So, who is going to Disney next?" "I had to remove the scissors from near my bed because who knows what I would do to Bob while I was sleeping" "So, how was your labor and delivery?"  "Let's nominate Anna to create a recipe book--yeah she would be perfect because everyone knows she LOVES to cook"  

Dinner and Social Time (20 minutes):   "OMG this burger is so good.  I have never tasted anything so good before." "What the hell did you smoke before coming here--you sound like you are high!!"  "Oh this is so good!"

BOOK DISCUSSION (30 minutes of STRAIGHT BOOK DISCUSSION no side conversation allowed):

I know I am so guilty of going off into my own conversations and not following the discussions.  Then I am guilty of talking so much about the book I do not let anyone else state their thoughts because I am a dominating bitch.  So, here is how I propose the discussions should go.

Book Leader:  Opens up the conversation by first asking one opinion question and EVERYONE answers it before anyone can comment.

I.E  "What did you think of the book and why?"  "What did you like or dislike about the book?"  "Who was your favorite character?"  It can be any simple question.  But NO ONE can comment on anyone's answer until everyone has a chance to state their opinion.  If we want we can bring a "conversation bookmark" and who ever is holding it gets to talk.  Yes, that is the teacher in me. 

 Book Leader:  Addresses a question to a specific person or to everyone.  We listen to the answer and comment as we see fit.  We can not take a detour down a path that does not specifically relate to the book nor can we take a different path somewhere else with another person.  We must stay focused.  This goes on for 30 minutes.  After 30 minutes we can continue talking about the book but in a less strict manner or talk about other things. If you did not finish the book play it off and pretend you did.  It is really easy to bullshit your way through it. 

So, this is what I propose but if no one is into it then forget about it.  But if you guys want to give it a shot I can be the enforcer and take the blame for being a controlling bitch! 

Holla back! 

The Triple B Club one Year Anniversary

September is our one year anniversary as The Triple B Club!  Ahhhh... what a wonderful year our new club has had.  Each month our friendships grow stronger and are conversations are getting to be more risque!  For the most part, everyone was able to make the majority of the meetings and we read some AWESOME books.  Take a gander at "The Books of our Past" and name a book that really was your all time favorite to read and to discuss.  Are there any discussions we had that stand out in your mind?  Any funny conversations that still make you chuckle?  Come on... share your thoughts--this is mandatory, not an option.  Let's reflect on our great year together and start to think about next year.  You must post a heartfelt comment BEFORE you can pick the month you want next year.  Don't worry, I will not be grading this post but I do want some substance! 

Next Years Schedule (you may add you month at the end of your reflection)

September:  Karen
October:  Anna (The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein)
November:  Ann (The Map of True Places by Brunonia Barry)
December: Tara
January:  Marisa
February: Sharon
March:Denise  (Love in Mid Air by Kim Wright)
April: Lisa D
May:  Lisa B
June: Sandy
July: Monique
August:Michelle

Thanks!

My Future Book Choice

I think I have an idea of one of the books I want to choose for next year.  It looks pretty good.  We should start compiling our list since our new year begins in September and we are already on June?  Should we plan on having our three selections by July?  Here is one of mine:

The Art of Racing in the Rain (Comes highly recommended from Mindy Penn)

June Book Choice

OK, not a lot of response so I'm going with The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. Since no one has said they have read it yet, it will give everyone something to read unlike the other choice. This one is only 288 pages so I'll probably read the other choice as well.

Right now the plan is to have it at my house again. Not sure when yet. Enjoy the book.

Help me choose June

Hi ladies, after our meeting Thursday night I looked up The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo but there is only one copy available between Lorain County and Avon Lake so I'm opting for something else. I have it down to two and I want some quick help. I'm probably going to choose and post by tomorrow so let me know what you think, most votes wins.

The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards, Everyone says they couldn't put it down and it took 2 days to read they stayed up late into the night. I'm afraid it is too much like the Picoult books we have read only from a very heavy and life altering decision sort of way.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Burows, I'm afraid this is too light. Everyone calls it charming and then other descriptive words. They do say it is a must for book clubs.

Let me know what you think and like I said I'll probably post it tomorrow. Thanks.

When and where is our next book club meeting???

May Book

#1 New York Times Bestseller

Three Cups of Tea

One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time

By Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin

Details on date and location TBD

April Book

I've chosen a book for April for all of you fast readers! I just finished the book for February! Sorry to have missed out the other night- damn kids are little germ factories- passing them all on to the rest of us!

This book is a collection of short stories. So for those of us who don't always get to finish the book - we can still be part of the discussion :)

The Newest Addition to our Triple B Family

 

Baby Zachary was born at 11:40am today and weighed 8lbs 13 oz and is 20.5 inches long. I know everyone is concerned about how Bob is doing, since he had to do the brunt of the work; rest assured-everyone is doing just fine--mom included.  

We can't wait to meet the lil' man.  

We Love You Lisa B!!!

Thinking Ahead

Hey,

I know it is a little too early to think about next year... but I wanted to share with you how another book  club goes about choosing their books; it might be something we would want to consider or it might not be.  This is the gist of what another club does:

I guess at the beginning of their book club year (I consider September to be our new year) or some time before it, each member brings to the table a few books they would choose for their month.  From there, everyone looks them over and they vote on what books they should read.  Then they set up a schedule of when they would read each book selection and who would be the hostess.  That way, they know of the books and can read ahead of the schedule if the desire strikes them.  I am not saying this is the best method, we can tweak it and just have the next 4 books picked--just in case a newly published book comes out later. 

Just an idea.  Let me know your thought,

Anna

March book

I've chosen "The Help" by Kathyrn Stockett for the March book. Location and date TBD!

Ann

good book i'm reading

I just got the book "NutureShock" from the library and I really like it... it's a child development book, so I don't think I'll choose it for my book club pick, but it's really interesting. I guess I like the book because it confirms my way of thinking :)

Anyway, just wanted to pass along the title!
Ann

Stone Soup

The book I am assuming Trudy is talking about when she organizes the New Years Party. Or at least one version of this story.

I FINISHED A BOOK!

Thought I should share some earth-shattering news.... I finished a book club book! :) Really liked it, wished it were longer. And I've made my kids sit and read quietly while I'm reading each evening, so it's hopefully the start of a new habit.

February's Book

http://www.kristinhannah.com/content/books_firefly_lane.php

Here is the next book... (Sharon's book of course--not mine) further details (like date, place, and time) will be determined at a later date.  Until then... enjoy.