Divergent by Veronica Roth

The Locale: Emily & Kristine's

Divergent

Veronica Roth

The Book: In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves… or it might destroy her.(http://veronicarothbooks.blogspot.com/p/books.html)

The Meeting:  Girls were asked to dress as the faction which they felt best suited their personalities. Most girls dressed as Dauntless, a couple girls dressed as a mix of factions or created their own.  The girls took a book quiz, winning prizes for most right answers.  And best of all, there was lots of yummy food, including some to represent the factions--Hamburgers, Escargot, and Chocolate Cake for Dauntless; Sunflower Seeds, to make the mind clearer, for Erudite; Apples for Amity, nature and growing; Bread and butter, plain, for Abnegation; and finally Oreos for Candor because they see everything as black and white.

The Vote:
Perri presented...

• The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
• Unwind by Neil Schusterman
• Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes  WINS!

We will meet at Perri & TJ's home on April 26th.  

Up Next: 

We will be meeting @ Olivia & Susan's on March 29th to discuss The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak. If the movie, The Book Thief, is out on DVD, Olivia and Susan would like to plan a movie event, hopefully outdoor if the weather is nice.  

Next to present:  Emma

Then:

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

The Billionaire's Curse by Richard Newsome

The Locale: Ashley & Jian's

The Billionaire's Curse

Richard Newsome

The Book: Gerald Wilkins never considered himself a particularly exceptional thirteen-year-old. But that was before he inherited twenty billion pounds, a Caribbean island, a yacht, and three estates from a great-aunt he never knew. With this fortune, however, comes a letter. One from his great-aunt Geraldine. One that tells Gerald that she was murdered, and that it's up to him to find out why. (from GoodReads). 

The Meeting:  Lots of catching up. Hearing about everyone's holiday.  Had a little discussion about how the girls are getting older and more mature and their book choices will reflect that.  Moms be warned.  After a little book discussion, including the colorful similes in the novel, the girls broke off into the groups to come up with similes of their own.

The Vote:
Olivia presented...

• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak  WINS!
• Everlost by Neil Shusterman
• Extremely Loud and Incredible Close by Jonathan Safran Foer

We will meet at Olivia & Susan's home on March 29th.  If the movie, The Book Thief, is out on DVD, Olivia and I would like to plan a movie event, hopefully outdoor if the weather is nice.  

Updates:  Megan and Dawn decided that book club was no longer a good fit for them, leaving a spot open for another mom & daughter team. Cassie & Susan have someone in mind to invite. 

Up Next: 

We will be meeting @ Kristine & Emily's on February 15th March 1st to discuss Divergent by Veronica Roth. 

Next to present:  Perri

Then:

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

Holiday Cookie Exchange.

Hungry for Cookies...

Yay!  We have cookies!

The Locale: Cassie & Susan's

The Fun: 
Our 4th annual Cookie Exchange. Everyone brings 2 1/2 dozen cookies--a 1/2 dozen to munch on at the exchange and 2 dozen to share. So glad see favs back for another year - The Goldstein's Oreo Balls & The Powell's Peanut Butter Fudge Candy. This time I try my hand at Grinch Sugar Cookies. Lots of fun & yummy treats! Thanks, Cassie & Susan!

Up Next: 

We will to discuss The Billionaire's Curse by Richard Newsome @ Jian & Ashley's on January 11th. 

We will be meeting @ Kristine & Emily's on February 15th. 

Next to Present: Olivia

Then:

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

Updates: Welcome to our new members, invited by Susan & Olivia. Rylee & Lisa Bacot. 

Percy Jackson - The Lightening Thief by Rick Riodan

The Locale: Brenda & Kate's

Percy Jackson - The Lightening Thief

Rick Riodan

The Book: 
Twelve-year-old Percy Jackson is on the most dangerous quest of his life. With the help of a satyr and a daughter of Athena, Percy must journey across the United States to catch a thief who has stolen the original weapon of mass destruction – Zeus’ master bolt. Along the way, he must face a host of mythological enemies determined to stop him. Most of all, he must come to terms with a father he has never known, and an Oracle that has warned him of betrayal by a friend.(http://www.rickriordan.com/my-books/percy-jackson/percy-jackson-olympians/lightning-thief.aspx)

The Fun: 

Yummy Greek food. Pastitsio - a Greek lasagna type dish. Greek salad. Ambrosia - fruit bar dessert. Nectar of the Gods - ice cream punch. Keftethes - meatballs. Tzatziki - dip & hummus. 

The girls were asked to arrive dressed up as their favorite Greek God or Goddess.  We had lots of Anthenas.  After partaking of the yummy Greek, book themed food, the girls   broke into groups and were asked to pick two animals from a bowl and, together, create and draw a new creature, a combo of the two animals chosen.  

A super discussion followed, including discussion of how the book compared to the movie.  After the meeting, several moms & daughters headed to Movies 8 to see the new Percy Jackson movie, Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters.

Emily as Athena

Odessa as Athena

Cassie as Athena

Perri as Aphrodite

Kate as Artemis.  Odessa as Athena

A Snake + A Pig = A SNIG

A Man + A Cow = A Cowboy?

A Man + A Cat = A Catman  

The Goddesses

Hmmm….here's a riddle

The Vote: 

Emily presents...

• Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin
• Divergent by Veronica Roth WINS!!
• Ashes by Ilisa Bick

We will be meeting @ Kristine & Emily's on February 15th. 

Up Next: 

• We will be having our annual cookie exchange again this year.  Many thanks to Susan & Cassie for hosting.  We will be meeting for this holiday Celebration on December 14th, Saturday, 2:00-4:00.  Everyone should bring 2 1/2 dozen cookies or treats--a 1/2 dozen to munch on at the exchange and 2 dozen to share.
• We will to discuss The Billionaire's Curse by Richard Newsome @ Jian & Ashley's on January 11th. 

Next to Present: Olivia

Then:

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

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