Book for July 31 - Peace Like a River by Leif Enger

Thanks to everyone who joined in a spirited discussion of presidential assassinations last month.

This month's book, Peace Like a River shifts gears to a winding narrative:

From Booklist

What readers will appreciate first in Enger's marvelous novel is the language. His limpid sentences are composed with the clarity and richness for which poets strive. It takes longer to get caught up in the story, but gradually, as the complex narrative unwinds, readers will find themselves immersed in an exceptionally heartfelt and moving tale about the resilience of family relationships, told in retrospect through the prism of memory. "We all hold history differently inside us," says narrator Reuben, who was an adolescent in Minnesota in the 1960s, when his brother, Davy, shot and killed two young men who were harassing the family. Rueben's father--in Rueben's estimation fully capable of performing miracles even though the outside world believed him to be lost in the clouds--packs Reuben and his sister up and follows the trail Davy has left in his flight from the law. Their journey comprises the action in the novel, but this is not really a book about adventures on the road. Rather, it is a story of relationships in which the exploration of character takes precedence over incident. Enger's profound understanding of human nature stands behind his compelling prose.

- Brad Hooper Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition

* Also Promised: The book that we will be reading is August is The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai. More about this later.

For now, enjoy Peace like a River. Happy Reading! - Jen

We Meet Next Tuesday at 7:30

Okay - after talking to Erica, it seems as though I am the only one who has been thoroughly confused about what we are reading when. I am glad blogging has gotten me back on track. After a very long wait for some of you, we will finally be discussing Assassination Vacation by Sarah Vowell on Tuesday June 26 at 7:30. As always, we will be meeting at church. I hope you all have enjoyed/ are enjoying this book as much as I am.

Last Saturday I had the opportunity to participate in the Hunger Walk. Though the number of walkers for LMC was very low, we raised enough money to feed a family of three breakfast, lunch, and dinner for an entire year. Everytime I figure out my budget and go to the grocery store, I keep thinking about the book Nickle and Dimed. With rising food and energy costs for everyone I was happy to get up very early (for me) on a Saturday morning and walk a few miles to raise some money and help others out. Who knows, it might be the clerk at the grocery store I am helping to feed.

Here is a little video (my new toy) I shot at the Hunger Walk. I thought it would be fun to share with you all.



I'll see you all on Tuesday - Jen

Hey, Look, Jen Can Blog Again

After a very long absence, and some mix-ups, I am back blogging again. My wrist is back in shape and book club is back in line - and we are reading Assassination Vacation by Sarah Vowell for June 26.

If you haven't picked it up yet, it is a fun, quirky little read - perfect for summer.

Have you ever played that game - if you could invite 3 people, living or dead to a dinner party, who would you invite? I was always able to come up with my first 2 very easily: Eleanor Roosevelt (my personal hero), Terry Gross (the host of NPR Fresh Air). And then I would stall. I couldn't think of a 3rd who I would really wan't to have a conversation with. I think that has now all changed. I think Sarah Vowell would be the dinner party 4th. I think I would enjoy talking about obscur historical events and possible parallel current events with her.

Happy reading, and I can't wait to talk about Assassination Vacation with all of you.