Book Babes AGM - 2012

There was a full house when Virginia and I arrived at Nicki's Friday night for the Annual General Meeting of the Book Babes.

Our book club started in 2003.  That's more than a hundred well-chosen books. The AGM started in 2007,  I think, and it has become the ritual time to pick the next year's selection, review a title or two, eat some wonderful meals, and most importantly enjoy each other's company.

Many of the books chosen over the years were ones I wouldn't normally pick for myself.  We are a diverse group of readers, and it has been enlightening to witness how great books are not necessarily unanimously enjoyed.  Hearing people's perspectives brings new understanding, dimensions and appreciation... not just to the books, but the friendships.  This is also a fabulous network for advice and support that goes way beyond literature.  I can honestly say this club - and these women - have widened my horizons and enriched my life in countless ways.

The itinerary

Back to Friday night.  Louise, Linda, Liz and Judy had already arrived  and a delicious dinner was being prepped (homemade pizza with arugula/strawberry salad).  Conversation and wine lasted well into the evening and no one was in a hurry to get out of bed the next morning.

Saturday, the weather was bathing-suit-on-the-dock warm, with some kayaking and a few swimmers wading into the cold Wineva Lake.

In the afternoon we were off to Louise's place down the road to discuss the May selection, a book called, "Running North - A Yukon Adventure," all about dog sledding and mushing. Laura and Debra arrived in time to join the discussion.  Unfortunately, this book was out of print and hard to find (nothing on kobo or in the TPL).  Our talk soon turned to the Ididerod and mushing in general.  Winter Dance in Haliburton has a sled run and it sounds like it would be fun to try!

The local radio station serenaded us again this year when Tim (Nicki's husband), played "Fever" for us on his jazz show.

Saturday night, another wonderful meal (salmon and pork tenderloin) more revelry, conversation, book talk, and even a bit of dancing...

Sunday morning we picked the books for the coming year, everyone offering two picks with the group democratically voting for the title of choice.  Nicolette skyped in because she was on call.

The book picks

Our reading list for the next year:

July  (Pat): At Home-A Short History of Private Life by Bill Bryson

Aug (Miriam): Complications A Surgeon's Notes on an Imperfect Science by A. Gawande 
Sept (Liz & Christina): The Sense of an Ending by Julien Barnes

Oct (Debra):  Why Men Lie by Linden MacIntyre 

Nov (Nicolette):  Life is About Losing Everything, short stories by Lynn Crosbie
December (Diane):  Solstice wine tasting
Jan (Virginia): Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri

Feb (Judi):  11-23-62 by Stephen King
Mar (Nicki): Half-Blood blues by Esi Edugyan 
Apr (Laura): Happiness Economics by Shari Lapena (hopefully  author can come)
May (Louise):  Cutting for Stone by Abraham Vergese
June (Diane): The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
July (Pat): Quiet: the Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by S. Cain

Food!
things to try at home...

• soft boiled eggs on a breakfast sandwich (use a pin to prick the small end of the egg and boil for 6 minutes); top on a toasted English muffin with tomato and cheese
• salmon, potatoes and fennel grilled in foil (thinly, thinly sliced potato and fennel underneath the salmon, lightly seasoned with oil, butter, ginger, salt and pepper)
• grilled pineapple wedges dusted with cinnamon powder
• rice casserole (prepare up to 1 day ahead if desired:  cook rice, add spinach, pepper, mushrooms, cheddar cheese & then bake in oven)

A Luna Moth

dropped by to join the party Friday night...

thanks Nicki for hosting another fabulous AGM!