In Cold Blood

I just spent a very enjoyable lunch hour discussing this contemporary classic novel with a group up in our campus library. Truman Capote's, In Cold Blood, was chosen by the state of Kansas to be this year's Kansas Reads selection.
I have to admit.....this time, last year, I was less than thrilled to find out that this was their choice. Over thirty years ago, I'd read this as a high school student and vividly remember how deeply disturbed I was by the horror of this family's fate...how sickened I was to realize that psychotic minds plan and carry out such evil.
I wasn't going to participate this year. I couldn't imagine - out of the limited time that I have to choose which book off my towering stacks of books I'm going to read next - re-reading this novel that had made such an impact on me so many years ago.

Nonetheless, as time got closer to the book discussion afternoon...and my friend, Martha, (who was leading the discussion) asked/assumed, "You are coming to the book discussion, aren't you?"...I located my own copy of the original paperback and joined the group.

I'm so glad that I did. Of course, I knew that anything Martha facilitated would be well-worth my time. And, I love sitting in the cozy 'living room' atmosphere of the L.W.Nixon library, with the large, plate-glass window overlooking the campus. So, I settled in for a very nice chat and, certainly, I was not disappointed. Six of us thoroughly enjoyed every tidbit of background and insight that Martha shared about Truman Capote and his experiences writing the book. Each one of us contributed our own reflections...our own connections with the lives of the novel's characters. Once again, I was reminded about how special it is to be literate...to be able to share with others the joy of reading powerful (not necessarily uplifting) literature.

Astrid and Veronika

This novel, my book group's February reading selection, was recommended by a member, Suzanne. She has the most remarkable talent for discovering wonderful, new reads and authors.

Astrid & Veronika is certainly all that. I've read straight through the morning and into the early afternoon - a rarity for me, as I get so sleepy when I read. And...despite being a voracious, passionate reader....I am a slllooowwww reader and finishing a novel in a day or two is a atypical.

Perhaps I'm thinking of my beloved neighbor and friend, Mildred, as I read about the loving, intergenerational friendship of the two main characters. All I know is that I am completely caught up in the story...the tune of talented and upcoming (if not self-destructive) singer, Amy Winehouse, is playing through my mind as I read the tragic stories of Veronika and Astrid.

Mary Jo Davis-Grant Author's Reading

What an honor to introduce my dear friend and mentor, Mary Jo Davis-Grant, as 30 attendees listened as she shared her journey of healing by way of her waking dreams. Her book, Dream Power, is the published version of her doctoral work on the integration of archetypes and chakras in her waking dreams.

In spite of the heavy snowfall ...and Democratic caucus...we were amazed at the number of people who turned out to hear her read from and discuss her book! In fact, Watermark shared that the attendance was as good as that from events they've hosted for national authors. Impressive! They offered Mary Jo yet another night to read and sign books, so we're 'taking it on the road again' the evening of March 25th.

Watermark Books in Wichita presents....

What a terrific way to spend a Sunday afternoon....! I can't think of a better group of people than booklovers ...and a bookloving hairdresser!

Not only did I enjoy hearing author, Kathy Patrick, share her love for books and book groups....I was the winner of a 'make-over' and a Pulpwood Queen 'big hair' do! I know....some people have no pride!

Thanks, Sarah Bagby, and staff at Watermark...the best independent bookstore around....

To add to a wonderfully enjoyable event, I purchased and gave a dear person, Dr. Jacqueline Vietti (our college president) a copy of the book, because she grew up, as did the author, in Eureka, Kansas...of all places. Imagine my astonishment when I told Kathy Patrick who I was giving the book to and to whom she should inscribe it and she exclaimed, "Oh, my! Jackie Basham's father delivered me and her mother was my French teacher! In fact, her mother is in the book!"

Needless to say, I was so anxious to give the book to Dr. Vietti. It meant alot to me to have her rush up to me at our large all-college meeting and hug me...and thank me....for sharing the book with her.

Umberto Eco

The Christmas holiday is a wonderful time to appreciate a snowy day and great books like this one, The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana.

Philip Pullman

Sssshhhhh! Don't tell her....I'm giving my daughter, Molly, the His Dark Materials trilogy and am reading a guide to Philip Pullman's books, Discovering the Golden Compass. Hopefully, Molly will share with her mom after she opens them Christmas morning.

Gordon Parks

This book is a beautiful photo history by Gordon Parks. Our "One Book, One Community" read last spring was The Learning Tree, by G. Parks. Each year, our community enjoys a week of activities (book discussions, author readings, visiting author in the schools, etc.) around a particular book. What a delightful way to meet up with kindred spirits! This year, I was lucky enough to be hostess to our featured author, Ann Parr, who wrote a young adult biography of Gordon Parks...a man she had the fortune of meeting twice, in person, when she flew to New York to interview him. The name of Ann's delightful book is No Excuses.