Monday, January 11, 2016

The Spectator Bird

For the new year, we read the Spectator Bird by Wallace Stegner.  Terry recommended this book.  He loved it, as did Mindy and Chrysanne.  Ed did as well.  Ed communicated by distance, unable to find our new venue (missed you, Ed).  Lexi, Cindy and Alan were not as in love and not as able to embrace the topic.  For me, I know I am reluctant to start to think about the last third of my life.  I am still hanging on to the second third!

We all agreed that the writing was amazing.  Mindy was great about marking the amazing sentences crafted by Stegner to capture and describe a truths about life.  I think that what we have learned as a group is that the books that connect with what we are doing or thinking about in our lives are the most relevant to us.  And the best discussions are where we talk about those connections.  Terry's description of the kinds of journals he kept throughout his life and his feelings after calling 1-800 Junk to clean out his attic was moving.  We had a great discussion about love and partnership and the twists and turns over a long life time.  The discussion was fueled by Alan's amazing Shepherd's Pie and topped off with Lexi's sweet treats.

Next Month, we are reading Anne Tyler's Digging to America.  We are meeting at Terry's on February 8th at 7 PM.  We also scheduled March for the 28th at Mindy's.  See you next month!