Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt

The Locale: Rylee's & Lisa's

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

John Berendt

The Book: Shots rang out in Savannah's grandest mansion in the misty,early morning hours of May 2, 1981. Was it murder or self-defense? For nearly a decade, the shooting and its aftermath reverberated throughout this hauntingly beautiful city of moss-hung oaks and shaded squares. John Berendt's sharply observed, suspenseful, and witty narrative reads like a thoroughly engrossing novel, and yet it is a work of nonfiction. Berendt skillfully interweaves a hugely entertaining first-person account of life in this isolated remnant of the Old South with the unpredictable twists and turns of a landmark murder case.
(https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/386187.Midnight_in_the_Garden_of_Good_and_Evil)

The Meeting: Very yummy, yummy eats from Lisa and Rylee, all in keeping with the theme of the book. Southern, Savannah, and delicious. Shrimp & Grits. Carmel Cake. Finger Sandwiches...and much much more.

The girls didn't like the book as much as they had hoped. A few hadn't read it. The cover and the description made it seem very mysterious...and it wasn't. But there certainly were interesting characters that gave us fodder for discussion.

The Vote: Perri presented...

• Unwind by Neal Shusterman
• Friends with Boys by Faith Erin Hicks
• Death Note (Volume 1) by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata  WINS!!

We will meet at Perri's and TJ's on April 18th to discuss Death Note (Volume 1) by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata.

Up Next: Susan's and Olivia's on March 28th to discuss graphic novels--any or all of the three presented--Maus: A Survivor's Tail by Art Spiegelman, Persepolis, Volume 1 by Marjane Satrapi, Scott Pilgrim, Volume 1 by Bryan Lee O'Malley

Updates: Emily & Kristine have a potential member and are exploring.

Next to Present: Cassie

Then:

• Odessa
• Kate
• Ashley
• Emily
• Rylee 
• Olivia
• Perri

Mrs. Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

The Locale: Emily's & Kristine's

Mrs. Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children

Ransom Riggs

The Book: A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. And a strange collection of very curious photographs. It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children who once lived here—one of whom was his own grandfather—were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a desolate island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.

A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows.
(http://www.ransomriggs.com/miss_peregrine.php)

The Meeting: A yummy meal prepared by Emily and her dad, including a delicious turtle cheesecake. Most of the club attends. Yay! Mixed reviews on the book. But LOVED the videos Emily shared! Mini documentaries of the author on his quest to find the perfect old mansion to represent Mrs. Peregrine's Home for a video book trailer. His travels and homes were fascinating. Old deserted mansions, taking over by nature. Personal belongings left untouched since abandoned. Very mysterious and deserving of exploring.

The Vote: Olivia presents three graphic novels.

• Maus: A Survivor's Tail by Art Spiegelman
• Persepolis, Volume 1 by Marjane Satrapi
• Scott Pilgrim, Vol. 1: Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life by Bryan Lee O'Malley 

There is a tie between Persepolis and Scott Pilgrim. It is decided that since all the novels are so short, the girls should choose the one that they prefer and read that...or both of the two winners...or all three.

We will meet at Susan's and Olivia's on March 28th.

Up Next: Rylee & Lisa's to discuss Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt on February 14th.

Next to present: Perri

Then:

• Cassie
• Odessa
• Kate
• Ashley
• Emily
• Rylee 
• Olivia
• Perri