2013 Book Babes AGM

It was a three and a half hour drive to Haliburton, leaving just before dusk and watching the full moon rise. Liz and I arrived late Friday, long after dark, but well in time to enjoy a glass of wine and some laughter with friends.

Nicki hosted another AGM. The whole weekend was enjoyed at a nice pace. Well planned, but seemingly coming together with ease.

Twelve of us gathered to pick another year's selection and enjoy each other's company. It was a bit cooler this year - definitely no swimming in the lake! But great weather for a fire in the wood stove, for sleeping in, and for sitting on the deck listening to the wind in the trees and watching dappled light on the lake.

A leisurely breakfast was followed by a late lunch at Louise's and accompanied by a discussion about Cutting for Stone, by Abraham Verghese. The novel was unanimously enjoyed for the plot, the lyrical language, the well-drawn characters, piercing insights into relationships and love. I've been meaning to get around to reading this novel for quite some time, and can only say I wish I'd read it sooner. I'm only half way through and in no rush to finish. It is definitely one of the most enjoyable books I've read in a long time, and I don't feel the need to rush through pages to race to the finish. 

Dinner was slow-cooked ribs, risotto, grilled tiger shrimp, asparagus & tarragon, a quinoa salad. Comfort food.

We also chose our books for the coming year and decided to switch our meeting dates to the first week of the month - which works nicely for me because the 'other' book club meets on the third Tuesday.

Looking forward to our ten-year anniversary in September.

Sept:  Enrique's Journey by Sonia Nazaro
Oct: Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight by Alexander Fuller
Nov: Working the Dead Beat by Sandra Martin
Dec: The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Widow and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson
Jan: Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Feb: Willpower by Roy F. Baumeister and John Tierney
Mar: Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway
Apr: Trust your Eyes by Linwood Barclay
May: the Painted Girls- by Cathy Marie Buchanan
Jun: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Jul: Why Be Happy When You Can be Normal by Jeanette Winterson
Aug: The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce