The Hounds of the Baskervilles By Sir Author Conan Doyle

The Locale:  Megan & Dawn's

The Hounds of the Baskervilles

Sir Author Conan Doyle

The Book - Courtesy of the Creamer Literary Corner:

In this full-length novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the sudden death of Sir Charles Baskerville is said to have been caused by the gigantic ghostly hound which has haunted his family for generations. However, when Dr. Mortimer involves Sherlock Holmes in the mystery, Holmes characteristically dismisses the theory as nonsense. Claiming to be immersed in another case, he sends Dr. Watson to protect Sir Henry, the Baskerville heir, and to observe the suspects first hand. Mystery abounds in this story, and Megan and I thoroughly enjoyed Conan Doyle's deliberate use of character to keep the reader out of the loop. While it stands on its own as wonderful story, for its time, I can imagine that reading each chapter in The Strand was something for which people held their breath. Megan and I both recommend it highly!

The Fun:

Yummy snacks. Delicious cupcakes. Discussion questions. Why do people like mysteries?  A little history of the author.  Our book was created based on legends in Doyle's town. We hear the a local Tally legend on Prince Murat, and the girls are charged with writing their tale.

The Vote: Ashley presents...

• The Navigator by Eion McNamee
• The Billionaire's Curse by Richard Newsome. WINNER!
• H.I.V.E. by Mark Walden

Up Next: Percy Jackson - The Lightening Thief by Rick Riodan @ Brenda & Kate's, Saturday, November 2nd, 2:00 - 4:00.

Next to Present: Emily

Then:

• Olivia
• Perri
• Emma
• Cassie
• Odessa
• Megan 
• Kate
• Emily

The Name of this Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch

The Name of this Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch

The Locale: Megan and Dawn's

The Book's Website

The Author's Website

The Book: Due to the tell-all title and author's warning, this book was obviously not meant to be read.  Yet, our mother-daughter book club courageously endeavored to read this dangerous book that includes two characters named Cass and Max-Ernest.  Naturally, these are not their real names, in case the reader was to ever look to find them.  The novel covers many important and serious topics, such as synesthesia, eternal life, and paunchy, rude real-estate agents.  A somewhat depressing yet quick and interesting read that has certain similarities to The Bad Beginning (August 2010), this book was great (although quite hazardous).

The Fun: The girls and moms had a broad discussion of various topics, such as the benefits of being a good liar, banned books, and the dangers of books.

The Vote: Smith's choices were:

• Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat by Lynn Jonell
• Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
• Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery

During the voting, there was a tie between Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat and Number the Stars.  Much to Emmy-lovers' dismay, it was decided that, by tradition, the mothers would vote.  Therefore, just as the girls had predicted, Number the Stars won an almost unanimous Mom's vote (Susan S. voted for Emmy). 

Up Next: This was the last meeting before the book club broke for summer.  The next meeting, on August 25th September 8th, will be at Kate P. and Brenda P.'s to discuss From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg.

Next to Present: Katie B.   Ashley

Update:  As requested, I spoke with Brenda & Katie B.  Mom said they no longer felt Mother Daughter was a good fit for them and are dropping out.  I was certainly sad to hear it, as I did enjoy getting to know them, but I appreciated her honesty and understand that circumstances change.   Because of this change, it would be our newest members, Ashley & Jian, to present books at our next meeting.  And...it would be Dawn & Megan's turn to invite a new mom/daughter team.

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

The Locale:   Megan & Dawn’s

The Author's Website

The Book: Meg Murry, was just a nobody and fought when there was an insult about her family. Meg's father had been experimenting with time-travel when he suddenly disappeared. Meg, her little brother Charles Wallace, and their mother are having a midnight snack on a dark and stormy night when an unearthly stranger appears at their door. She claims to have been blown off course, and goes on to tell them that there is such a thing as a "tesseract," which, if you didn't know, is a wrinkle in time. But little did Meg know that 1 trip to Mrs.Whatsit’s house would change her life forever. Will Meg, Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin outwit the forces of evil as they search through space for their father?

The Fun (Megan’s Report): The first activity was eating! We had a variety of drinks, Comazotz Food (jalapeno and cilantro hummus), Rhythmic Balls (black olives), Meg’s Favorite Sandwich (Tomato), Mom’s Favorite Sandwich (Tuna Fish), CW’s Favorite Sandwich (Liverwurst), Wrinkly Cheese Puffs, Hot Dog in a Wormhole (Pigs in a blanket), and IT Invaded My Cake (Chocolate marble crème cake).

Then we went into the living room for discussion about the book. We asked them a few questions. Ex: Did you like the book? If you could tesseract, where would you tesser to? What character is most like you? What is your favorite character and part of the story?

We drew what we thought Aunt Beast looks like. I thought she looked like half spider, half man in a swim suit. Olivia’s mom took pictures of the drawings.

I finally asked what everyone’s favorite part of lunch was. They all agreed the chocolate cake. It was a fun meeting.

The Vote: Both Katie & Smith presented books:

Katie presented the following books. We will meet at Katie & Brenda’s home in late August, date TBD:

• Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reiley Giff. 2 votes
• Once Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris. 4 votes * WINNER 
• Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson 2 votes

                                       

Smith presented the following books. We will meet at Smith & Elizabeth’s home in September/October, date TBD:

• The Egypt Game by Zilpha Keatley Synder. 1 vote
• The Whispering Mountain by Joan Aiken. 2 votes
• The Girl Who Could Fly by Victoria Forester. 4 votes * WINNER

Who Presents Next: Olivia & Susan @ Katie & Brenda’s meeting in August.

Changes/Updates: Thanks to Perri & TJ, we have a new mom & daughter pair--Katie & Brenda...Not to be confused with Kate & Brenda...huh?? : ) Please be sure to add them to your email list. 

Susan & Olivia passed on their time to invite. A new member. Just couldn’t find the right match this time. They pass to Emma & Diana.

Up Next: The Sorta Sisters by AdrianFogelin @ Kate & Brenda’s home on May 14th.

A very exciting note--Ms. Fogelin has agreed to attend our book club meeting on May 14th!!!! Ms. Fogelin has also started a front porch library in her Tallahassee neighborhood. Moms & Daughters should bring gentle used books to donate to her library. You can read about it on her website. 

 

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi

The Locale: Megan & Dawn’s Home

The Book: A Newbery Honor book. On a long, grueling journey from England to Rhode Island in 1802, a 12 year old changes from a prim and proper girl to a swashbuckling mate of a mutinous crew and is accused of murder by the captain. Awash with shipboard activity, intense feelings, and a keen sense of time and place, the story is a throwback to good old-fashioned adventure yarns on the high seas.

The Fun: Dawn and Megan hosted their meeting outside on their front porch, celebrating a BEAUTIFUL spring day! The girls had fun playing in the front yard.

The Food: Cool dishes that kept with the theme of the book.

• Zachariah's Senegalese Peanut Stew 
• Pirate Fingers (a.k.a. pigs in a blanket) 
• Clam chowder with oyster crackers 
• Crab rolls (crab salad on Hawaiian Rolls) 
• Watermelon 
• Captain Jaggery's Tea Time desserts 
• Double Chocolate Cake 
• Key Lime Pie 

The Vote: We mixed things up a bit by casting votes Survivor style. Girls secretly wrote they votes down on paper. The votes were tallied, and the book with the most votes, won. Up for votes, offered by Kate, were Escaping the Giant Wave by Peg Kehret, Emmy and the Incrediable Shrinking Rat by Lynne Jonell, and The Frog Princess by E.D. Baker. The Frog Princess won.

Up Next: Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh on May 8th at Inkary & Mala’s home.